May 5, 2025 (Washington, DC) – The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) will be advocating on Capitol Hill the week of May 4th to share stories of why Medicaid Matters to the intellectual and developmental disabilities community across the country.
The weeklong effort is to bring attention to the dire impact to everyday life if the proposed $880 billion in Medicaid cuts will be enacted.
NACDD’s policy team will hand-deliver stories of constituents to members for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee as Medicaid markup will be expected to take place the week of May 12th. The outreach will conclude with a Medicaid vigil that will take place on Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, ending in a Medicaid rally. NACCD will be sharing stories from 4-5 AM at the Hill and at the rally at 1pm on Thursday.
Stories collected from the national network of state developmental disabilities councils will be read during the vigil. These stories from states across the country provide a national snapshot of exactly who will be harmed should Congress enact the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
“We want to make sure that the members of Congress know exactly which constituents they will harm should they vote to change Medicaid through any schemes such as per capita cuts, changes to the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP), work requirements or otherwise.”” said Erin Prangley, Director of Public Policy of NACDD. “For these constituents with developmental disabilities, Medicaid is the foundation for health, independence, and full participation in community life. We are demanding accountability from our representatives, not empty statements that they are only addressing fraud, waste and abuse.”
Medicaid provides essential services that many people with developmental disabilities rely on every day such as home and community-based supports, access to healthcare providers who understand their needs, transportation, and so much more. Without Medicaid, millions would face isolation, worsening health, and the loss of basic freedoms. Protecting and strengthening Medicaid is not just a policy choice; it’s a commitment to equity, dignity, and human rights.
If the proposed changes to Medicaid move forward, the consequences for people with developmental disabilities would be devastating. Essential services like home and community-based care, personal assistance, and therapies could be slashed or eliminated, forcing many into institutions and placing unbearable strain on families. These cuts would not only dismantle vital supports but also deepen health inequities, especially in low-income and rural communities.
The stories are collected from across the country through the state’s Developmental Disabilities Councils, a Governor-appointed commission that advances and advocates for policy efforts to advance community living supports and services for people with I/DD.
