Action Alert
Congress is currently working on legislation, as part of the budget reconciliation, or Build Back Better Agenda, that will greatly affect the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
Urge your members of Congress to meet the needs of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct care workforce by investing in Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) to expand access to those services and create more and better direct care jobs.
Share your story about the importance of HCBS now.
Major Events
Senate Finance Committee Holds Historic SSI Hearing
On September 21, the U.S. Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy held the first hearing on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in decades. Chaired by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), senators discussed policy solutions to strengthen SSI, a program that 7.8 million people with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes rely on. Witnesses explained how many key features of SSI have not been updated in decades, trapping people with disabilities in poverty. The committee discussed outdated rules governing assets, earnings, and in-kind supports.
The Arc submitted a statement for record outlining updates to SSI that Congress should pass. If you would like to submit a statement, you can do so here.
Senate Judiciary to Hold Hearing on Toxic Conservatorships
On Tuesday, September 28, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on “Toxic Conservatorships: The Need for Reform.” This hearing will come after The Arc, along with a coalition of 25 civil and disability rights organizations, joined an amicus brief filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California in support of Britney Spears’ right to select her own attorney for her conservatorship proceedings. You can watch the hearing here.
Congress Considering Package That Includes Housing for People With Disabilities
The House Financial Services Committee released its portion of the reconciliation bill, which includes significant funding for housing and community development. This package includes $1 billion for the Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities administered by the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More information is available here.
House Passes Nine-Week Stopgap Spending Bill
On September 21, the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through December 3. The bill funds most agencies at the same level it did for fiscal year 2022. It also suspends the debt ceiling through December 16, 2021. The debt ceiling provision faces Republican opposition in the Senate. Lawmakers have until midnight on September 30 to come to an agreement to prevent a partial government shutdown.
CMS Awards $15 Million in Grants for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded $15 million in planning grants to 20 states to support expanding community-based mobile crisis intervention services. These services include behavioral health professionals trained in trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies, and harm-reduction.
The following states were awarded planning grants: Alabama, California, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. More information is available here.
Announcements
National Disability Voter Registration Week
Tuesday, September 28, is National Disability Voter Registration Day. Register to vote or check your registration here.
Monthly Child Tax Credit Sent Out
On September 15, millions of families across the country continued to receive monthly checks from the federal government as part of the Child Tax Credit. Qualifying families receive monthly checks up to $300 per month for each dependent under 6 years old and up to $250 per month for each dependent aged 6 to 17.
If you have not automatically received your monthly credit and think you are eligible, visit this website to sign up.
