Easterseals Statement on House Passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA)

May 4, 2017

Easterseals is disheartened with the House passage today of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Easterseals opposes the AHCA because of its treatment of Medicaid and other provisions that limit access to essential services for people with disabilities. Easterseals is a leading non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities access their community and reach their potential by providing Medicaid-funded and other essential services and supports through our national network of 75 affiliates.

Easterseals is greatly concerned about the AHCA provisions that would restrict the amount of federal Medicaid funding available to states for home and community-based services and would eliminate expanded resources for states who provide care attendants and other supports to help people with disabilities remain independent. In addition, Easterseals is concerned about the impact the waiver provision will have on the ability for people with disabilities and others with pre-existing conditions to afford health care and to access rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, which are currently available under the Essential Health Benefits. Many individuals with disabilities are on waiting lists for Medicaid waiver home and community services. Cutting Medicaid resources to states through a restrictive federal cap could further restrict access to or force states to eliminate waiver services all together. The end result will be more isolation, less well-being and more dependence.

Easterseals urges the Senate to reject these policies that will limit services to children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Read these stories to see the difference Medicaid makes in the lives of people with disabilities.

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