"When people like me live in the community, we live longer and have better health care outcomes...I found self-direction to be very empowering. It's also one of the safest models with COVID-19." – N, Maryland

Care advocates from across the country held a 24-hour vigil [[link removed]] last week, outside the U.S. Capitol, to urge elected leaders to hold the line on funding for the disability community in the Build Back Better plan. Over a dozen organizations, including ASAN, worked together to remind Congress why home- and community-based services (HCBS) must be prioritized . Advocates read thousands of HCBS users' stories and later delivered them to Senators to urge them to include HCBS in the budget reconciliation package. We’ve included just a few excerpts from those stories in this email.

"I have been on the wait-list for HCBS for thirteen years!" – L, Texas

We joined the vigil outside the Capitol because we know that we are stronger when we speak out together. Join us by calling your members of Congress [[link removed]] to make sure that this vital funding is included! 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 at least $250 billion 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?

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]]

After you've called, you can also email [[link removed]] your members of Congress. It just takes a few clicks to make your voice heard [[link removed]] with our email tool!

Our independence, our health, and our lives are on the line—we cannot let our elected officials forget that. More than 800,000 disabled people are on waiting lists for HCBS.

"Nobody should be without the supports they need...HCBS is a lifeline for people like me." – Christopher Jorwic, IL

As people with disabilities, we rely on HCBS to stay in our communities and out of dangerous congregate settings. It’s time for Congress to deliver for disabled Americans and fund home- and community-based services! [[link removed]]


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