Medicaid funding is at risk, and the potential consequences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are severe.  Federal congressional leaders are proposing $2 trillion in overall spending cuts through 2034. The current House proposal directs the Energy and Commerce Committee to identify at least $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years, primarily targeting Medicaid. These cuts will put essential services for people with IDD in jeopardy. 

How Medicaid Supports People with IDD 

Many people with IDD rely on Medicaid waivers for their housing, employment, and community-based services.  Without this funding, people with IDD would lose access to the support and services they need to live independently and engage with their communities. 

What’s at Stake 

The proposed cuts to Medicaid could lead to: 

• Lower reimbursement rates for providers like The Arc, making it harder to sustain quality services. 

• Reduced access to essential programs that help people with IDD live and work in their communities. 

• Longer waitlists, leaving people and families without the support they need. 

• Increased reliance on institutions rather than community-based services, which is less empowering and removes choice and control from each person. 

• Loss of healthcare and critical support for people with IDD. 

The Ripple Effect on People, Families, and Communities 

Medicaid cuts would not only affect people with IDD, it would affect 80 million Americans – almost 25% of the country. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income people, including eligible children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is the largest source of health coverage for people with disabilities and plays a crucial role in funding community-based services. 

These cuts will place immense strain on families and communities, and families who depend on Medicaid-funded support will be left with few options. Providers across the country may be forced to scale back services or close programs entirely, limiting access to community-based solutions that promote independence and quality of life. 

The $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over ten years represent a cut of approximately 10% to its annual budget every year and will have severe consequences for those who rely on it. Without adequate funding, more people with IDD may be pushed into institutional settings—an outcome that contradicts decades of progress toward inclusion and community-based services. 

As Congress debates these budget cuts, it is crucial to understand the real-life impact that reducing Medicaid funding could have on people with IDD. Protecting Medicaid means protecting the right of people with disabilities to live independently, access healthcare, and participate fully in their communities. 

What Can You Do? 

Now is the time to act. We need your help to protect Medicaid funding and ensure that people with IDD continue to receive the support they deserve. 

Please reach out to your Congressional representatives and urge them to oppose any Medicaid cuts. You can easily take action by filling out an online form from ANCOR, a national advocacy organization for people with IDD. 

Your voice matters. In less than a minute, you can make a difference. Together, we can defend Medicaid and stand up for people with disabilities. The future of care depends on all of us—let’s fight for it. 

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