Last week, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 was signed by President Trump. A three-month funding extension for Money Follows the Person (MFP) was included in this bill. This program moves people with disabilities from institutions into the community by paying for programs not normally covered by Medicaid such as employment and housing services. “Passage […]
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The Arc Responds to Department of Education Announcement on Restraint and Seclusion
Today, in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement of an initiative to address the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities, Julie Ward, The Arc’s Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy, issued the following statement: “The Arc appreciates the Department’s new effort to protect students with disabilities from the harmful […]
The Arc Responds to Texas U.S. District Court Judge’s Ruling on the Affordable Care Act
The Arc Responds to Texas U.S. District Court Judge’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional: “This ruling by District Court Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas v. Azar is of great concern. To strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) puts the health of millions at risk, but we know that […]
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New SSA Phone Scam
There’s a new phone scam targeting Social Security beneficiaries that advocates for older adults should be aware of. The Federal Trade Commission is warning that scammers are engaging in a caller ID trick called “spoofing” to make it appear that they are calling from the Social Security Administration (SSA). These phony callers claim […]
SSA 2019 Cost of Living Adjustment
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020, SSI RATES ARE ESTABLISHED AS FOLLOWS: 2020 COLA Fact Sheet 1.6 Percent
Our Hearts Are Heavy: A Statement on the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting
A statement from The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, known as ACHIEVA, on the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue this weekend. Two of their clients, Cecil and David Rosenthal were victims of the attack. On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of The Arc, we offer our most heartfelt sympathy to the entire ACHIEVA family on […]
Advocacy Alert! ~ Caregiver Staffing Crisis
ADVOCACY ALERT! THE ISSUE: CAREGIVER STAFFING CRISIS. People with developmental disabilities or mental illness rely on direct care workers for essential supports which enable them to access their community, work, and live full, meaningful lives. Inadequate wages have created a critical direct care shortage. Turnover rates average 37%. Some providers have been forced to discontinue […]
The Arc Responds to Appointment of Judge Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court
Today, The Arc responded to Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the United States Supreme Court. In August, The Arc came out in opposition to Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to the highest court based on his decisions on cases involving self-determination of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), education, employment, and his stances on the […]
A Call To Action for Medicaid
The FY19 budget process is moving fast and legislators are hoping to wrap up work on next year’s budget by the end of the month. In the Senate passed FY19 DHHS budget, language resurfaced that would allow the Medicaid health plans in the pilot regions to contract with any vendor they choose and work around the CMHs […]