Advocacy Monitor

The House passed the Build Back Better Act (BBB) last month. BBB is a federal funding plan to support rebuilding many national programs that have been long neglected. We are still waiting for the Senate to pass the bill. While Senate Majority Leader Schumer has set a Christmas deadline – and a vote next week is possible – the timeline is still unclear. Passing BBB is not a done deal. Our Senators need to keep hearing from us!

The $1.7 trillion of investments included in the Build Back Better Act are critically needed. BBB has $150 billion in funding for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and our workers. In addition to the HCBS investments, BBB:

• makes the Money Follows the Person program and HCBS Spousal Impoverishment protections permanent;
• includes funding for housing, education, clean energy and sustainability, immigration reform, and health coverage;
• includes efforts to transition to competitive integrated employment;
• closes the Medicaid coverage gap;
• expands Medicare to cover hearing benefits;
• reduces healthcare premiums;
• extends important tax credits;
• reduces drug prices;
• establishes a paid family and medical leave program; and
• invests in broadband Internet services nationwide.

You can see more about what’s included in the Build Back Better act in this framework and in the resources below. These are crucial services and programs that are needed now. We cannot keep waiting!

Take Action!

The Senate must keep BBB intact and pass it quickly. It is critical that our Senators keep hearing from us about how important this is. Call or email your state’s Senators about the things that matter most to you! Tell them their disabled constituents cannot keep waiting!

More information is below, including how to contact them and a sample script.

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Today the House passed the Build Back Better Act (BBB), President Biden’s transformational legislation with a historic $1.7 trillion investment in critical programs and services. While the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, BBB and the recently-passed infrastructure package will set our country on a path toward a more equitable recovery.

The Build Back Better Act includes major investments in housing, education, children and families, clean energy and sustainability, immigration reform, and health coverage. It would fund grants to transition to competitive integrated employment, close the Medicaid coverage gap, expand Medicare to cover hearing benefits, reduce healthcare premiums for millions of people, and extend important tax credits. The bill also includes paid leave and drug pricing provisions that had previously been removed from the package.

Importantly, the package still includes $150 billion in funding to strengthen Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS). While $150 billion is less than the original amount proposed by President Biden, it is still the largest investment in HCBS we have ever seen and would provide urgently-needed funding to support the workforce and help disabled people live and stay in our communities. The package would also make the Money Follows the Person program and HCBS Spousal Impoverishment protections permanent, further enabling disabled people to get out of institutions and live in the community.

BBB now moves to the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Schumer has set a Christmas deadline. This is not a done deal yet!

Take Action!

It is critical that the Senate keep BBB intact and pass it quickly. Keep contacting your Senators; they must keep hearing from their constituents about the things that matter most, especially how vital it is that HCBS funding remain in the package until the end!

More information is below, including how to contact them and a sample script.

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• Read about this subject in plain language

CVS Health, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and the National Council on Independent Living today announced that they are working together to seek policy solutions to protect equitable access to health care for all Americans and continue to protect the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.

“We have a long track record of supporting the essential and foundational legal protections for people with disabilities and ensuring that marginalized populations can access affordable health care and medicines in their community,” said David Casey, Senior Vice President, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health. “Our agreement to pursue policy solutions in collaboration with the disability community will help protect access to affordable health plan programs that apply equally to all members. As a result, we will not pursue the matter further before the Supreme Court.”

“CVS Health engaged in an honest dialogue with disability community representatives and listened carefully to our concerns about what was at stake for disabled people with the question before the Supreme Court,” said Judith Heumann, a long time disability activist and leader featured in the popular documentary Crip Camp about the disability rights movement. Heumann and others, including disability law expert Chai Feldblum and the Bazelon Center’s Jennifer Mathis, took part in the discussions with CVS Health. “We look forward to continuing this important work in partnership and thank CVS Health for its commitment to preserving disability rights.”           

Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, stated, “Hard-fought progress has been preserved today through dialogue and partnership between advocates and CVS Health. We look forward to working collaboratively with CVS Health to find solutions that will ensure that health benefits are equally available and affordable to people with disabilities.”

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About CVS Health

CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and our nearly 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that’s managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 61 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. To learn more, visit the AAPD website: www.aapd.com.

About the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law 

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national nonprofit legal advocacy organization that advances the rights of adults and children with mental disabilities through litigation, policy advocacy, public education, and technical assistance. Formerly the Mental Health Law Project, the Bazelon Center advocates for equal opportunity for people with disabilities in all aspects of life, including community living, health care, education, employment, housing, parental and family rights, voting, and other areas. The Center has played a role in numerous disability rights cases in the U.S. Supreme Court.

About the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund based in Berkeley, California, is a national nonprofit law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. Founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, DREDF remains board- and staff-led by members of the communities for whom we advocate. DREDF pursues its mission through education, advocacy and law reform efforts. DREDF is nationally recognized for its expertise in the interpretation of federal disability civil rights laws. DREDF has participated as amicus and as counsel for amici in many Supreme Court cases regarding these laws. 

About the National Council on Independent Living 

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of people with disabilities and organizations including Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. NCIL’s mission is to advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. To learn more, visit www.ncil.org.

Media contacts:

Mike DeAngelis, CVS Health

401-770-2645

[email protected]

Jess Davidson, AAPD

970-631-6829

[email protected]

Jalyn Radziminski, Bazelon Center

[email protected]

Lawrence Carter-Long, DREDF

[email protected]

Eleanor Canter, NCIL

231-215-9808

[email protected]