Yesterday Senators Portman (R-OH) and Cantwell (D-WA) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program. The bipartisan legislation, titled the Ensuring Medicaid Provides Opportunities for Widespread Equity, Resources, and Care Act (the EMPOWER Care Act), would extend the MFP demonstration program through 2022.
MFP was designed to help states transition people with disabilities from institutions into the community, and to assist states in rebalancing their long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems to increase access to home and community based services (HCBS). Since it began, 47 states have participated and over 75,000 disabled people have been liberated from institutions, and Centers for Independent Living (CILs) have played a critical role in that.
However, the program expired on September 30, 2016. While States can still use remaining grant funds through 2020, with no reauthorization or additional funding on the horizon, programs are being scaled back and will eventually end. In fact, the program expired last year and we already saw the number of new transitions decline. Reauthorizing MFP will provide additional funding for transitioning people with disabilities into the community, and it will continue incentivizing states to prioritize home and community based services.
Take Action – Sign the Letter of Support!
The introduction of this legislation is wholly due to the ongoing advocacy of the disability community, and it is a big achievement! We will continue to keep you updated on any progress or other advocacy opportunities related this bill. But for now, we need to show the Independent Living community’s strong support for this bipartisan effort! CILs, SILCs, and other organizations, please sign on to the letter of support.
Signatures are due by 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, December 18, 2017.
I work with adults with disabilities, primarily autism, in northern New Jersey. Once an individual leaves the educational system, the network of supports to keep them involved, learning living and work skills is essential to their survival. Parents are getting older and can no longer care for a special needs adult. It is crucial that these services be continued. What will happen to our children if they are not?