I am the face of a pre-existing condition

Major Recent Events

Health/Medicaid - Congressional Budget Office Releases New Estimates on American Health Care Act

Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new analysis of the House-passed American Health Care Act. The CBO estimates that the number of uninsured people will rise by 14 million by 2018, 19 million by 2020, and 23 million by 2026, all relative to current law. The number of Medicaid beneficiaries will fall by 14 million, most of whom will become uninsured. States that use waivers are likely to see more healthy enrollees join the market, while more people with chronic health conditions will likely be unable to find insurance. Overall, the bill cuts more than $830 billion out of Medicaid over a decade.

"We are at a critical juncture in our history as a disability rights movement. Now more than ever, people with disabilities, families, professionals in the field, and the general public need to rise up to protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live a life like anyone else," said Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy, The Arc. Learn more in The Arc's full statement on the CBO analysis.

Budget & Appropriations - President Releases Full Budget

Last week, President Trump released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. Unlike the FY 2018 "skinny" budget released in March, this one includes all parts of the federal budget and includes 10-year spending proposals, through FY 2027. As outlined in The Arc's statement, on top of the more than $830 billion in Medicaid cuts already approved by the House of Representatives, the budget proposes an additional $610 billion in cuts to Medicaid; $72 billion in cuts to Social Security's disability programs; and hundreds of billions more in cuts to other effective federal programs that are vital to people with disabilities and their families.

"Where we invest our federal dollars is a measure of our values as a nation. Today the Trump Administration showed its cards, and coupled with the devastating Medicaid cuts already approved by the House of Representatives in the health care bill, the deck is stacked against people with disabilities," said Peter V. Berns, CEO, The Arc. Learn more in The Arc's full statement on the President's budget proposal.