National Advocacy Day for HCBS in the COVID-19 Stimulus Package 

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender 

August 4, 2020 

#AdvocacyMatter Segment 

National Advocacy Day for  

HCBS in the COVID-19 Stimulus Package 

Today, advocates from across the country are calling, tweeting, and emailing their U.S. Senators as they continue to their negotiations with the House and the White House on the next coronavirus spending package now.  Key leaders are currently working on a fourth COVID-19 stimulus relief bill.

Here’s where we are.  The U.S. House of Representative passed H.R. 6800, The HEROS Act in May that address many top priorities of the disability community.  Most importantly was dedicated funding for home and community-based services. The total stimulus package would cost $3 trillion dollars.

The U.S. Senate introduced a bill last week, The HEALS Act, that totaled $1 trillion dollars in spending.  The package did not include any funding for home and community-based services.

Why is dedicated funding so important for home and community-based services?  The community wants individuals with disabilities supported in their own homes always, and especially during the pandemic.  We want to be sure funds are included that support additional community mental health services.

That brings us to today.  Today is a national call to action day focused on the U.S. Senate.  Even if you have contacted your Senators in the past, we ask you to do it again today.  Your Senators must hear from you today so we can make a collective push for these important community priorities.

#AdvocacyMatters.

Go to disabilityrightspa.org.  There you will find a link to the Center for Public Representation action page with more information about the action today and information on how to contact your Senators.  They even have templates to help you write your message.

You can also follow all the advocacy action today on using the hashtags #HCBS and #WhatWeNeed!

Go to disabilityrightspa.org for the link to the Center for Public Representation now and let’s make advocacy matter.