Thank you for all of your calls, emails and tweets last week, letting our elected officials know that #CareCantWait! Now we need to keep up the pressure to make sure disabled people can get the services we need [[link removed]] . The pandemic’s disproportionate impact on people living in congregate settings, as well as communities of color, and low-income communities, demonstrates the need for fully funding home-and-community-based services (HCBS).

Our country has failed to fund these vital services adequately, which leaves over 820,000 Americans on long waiting lists for services and forces others into institutions. As we’ve seen too clearly, both before and during the pandemic, this has deadly consequences. We need a big push RIGHT NOW to let members of Congress know home and community-based services are critical to our community. [[link removed]]

Here’s how to take action:

- Call your members of Congress! Urge you to make sure that COVID recovery includes full funding for Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS)

- Provide personal stories about how HCBS helps you, your family, and your state.

- Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected with your member of Congress.

You can use our script:

My name is [your full name] , and I am from [city] . I’m calling to ask Senator/Representative [Name] to make sure that COVID recovery includes full funding for home- and community-based services. This funding would provide a critical investment in services for people with disabilities and aging adults, as well as the workforce that provides those supports. Many people with disabilities and aging adults rely on home- and community-based services to do things like get dressed, take care of our families, work, and participate in our communities. Right now, thousands of people can’t get the support they need. We need a big investment to make community services work for everyone who needs them. Can I count on the Senator/Representative’s support?

Once you’ve called your Senators, keep up the pressure ! You can also email [[link removed]] or tweet [[link removed]] at your Senators and let them know you’re watching.

Wondering what to expect from a call to your elected officials? Check out this guide to making a call to your members of Congress. [[link removed]] Find phone calls difficult or impossible? Check out our Proxy Calling System here [[link removed]] . Want to help someone else make a call? Consider signing up [[link removed]] to be a proxy caller.

It’s long past time to fully fund disabled peoples’ right to live in our communities, not in dangerous congregate settings. With every call, you bring us closer to making that a reality. Together, we’ll keep speaking out until all of us have the services we need.


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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