Raise Medicaid FMAP: As COVID–19 ravages the United States, Medicaid has never been a more essential public health program. I urge the Senator to support an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid in the next COVID relief bill of at least 5.8%, retroactive to January 1, 2020 and to remain in effect until at least September 30, 2021.
Provide More HCBS Grant Funding: The Senate absolutely must do more to fund Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). The COVID–19 pandemic has shown that people with disabilities and older adults are most at risk when in nursing homes and congregate settings. Meaningful investments in HCBS grants is one of the most important steps Congress can take to safeguard the disability community.
Without additional resources, aging adults and people with disabilities will be forced out of their homes and communities into congregate settings, at grave risk to their health. The pervasive and deadly nursing home outbreaks have already killed more than 33k Americans. The Senate has a duty to do everything possible to stop the deaths, including, importantly, by providing HCBS funding.
