Home care is a right — Join MomsRising in telling Congress to protect Medicaid HCBS and help families age with dignity.
Tell Congress to Protect Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services — HCBS
Action Alert: Defending Medicaid’s Essential Lifeline
Summary: This Medicaid Awareness Month, MomsRising is fighting to protect Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These essential services allow older adults and people with disabilities to live and age with dignity in their own homes rather than in costly institutions. With federal funding under attack, your voice is needed to tell Congress to safeguard this critical care infrastructure.
- The Necessity: HCBS supports over 8.4 million people with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
- The Threat: Recent federal policy has resulted in over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, forcing states to consider eliminating or reducing home care funding.
- The Goal: Protect the 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities and the millions of families who rely on home care to maintain their independence and livelihoods.
As moms, parents, and caregivers, we know that for many people in our lives, "health care" doesn't just happen at a doctor’s office. It’s the essential support that allows a grandparent to stay in their own home, a person with a disability to hold a job, and people to live and age with dignity.
These are Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS), and right now, they are under a direct and dishonest attack.
Why HCBS is Essential Health care
Not every prescription is a pill. For more than 8.4 million people who count on HCBS to live independently, "health care" means the medical equipment and caregivers that help them bathe, dress, and participate in daily life. [3]
HCBS make it possible for:
- An older parent to return to independent living after a stroke or fall.
- A grandparent with dementia to remain at home with support for meals and transportation.
- A child with complex medical needs to receive daytime or nighttime nursing care at home.
- A working-age adult with disabilities to maintain employment and participate in their community.
Sign on to support Medicaid HCBS and tell Congress that home care is essential!
A Manufactured Funding Crisis
Last summer, Republicans in Congress slashed over $1 trillion from Medicaid as part of a "Big, Ugly Bill." [4] Since these cuts were passed, at least nine states have already proposed eliminating or reducing funding for HCBS to offset federal cuts. [5]
We see right through the narrative on cutting HCBS — it is a smokescreen. Cutting these services doesn't save money; it simply forces people into more costly and unwanted institutional settings. [10] We’re taking this personally. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65, and the number of adults over 85 is expected to double by 2040. [8][9] We must protect our ability to care for our parents, our children, and ourselves.
Add your name! Tell Congress: Invest in health care, not funding freezes.
How Does HCBS Impact Your Family?
Why are Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) important to you? Whether it's helping a loved one stay at home or allowing you to maintain your job while caregiving, your story is powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS)?
HCBS are Medicaid programs that provide opportunities for individuals to receive services in their own home or community rather than institutions or other isolated settings. This include help with daily living activities, nursing care, and transportation.
How does the aging population affect the need for HCBS?
As the "Baby Boomer" generation ages, the demand for home-based care is skyrocketing. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, HCBS is a critical part of the care infrastructure needed to allow seniors to age with dignity and safety.
Does cutting HCBS funding actually save the government money?
No. Research shows that "rebalancing" Medicaid toward home- and community-based services is more cost-effective than institutional care. Cutting these services often leads to higher long-term costs as patients are forced into more expensive nursing homes or hospitals.
References:
[1] Understanding Medicaid Home Care — KFF
[2] Undercutting Oversight Hurts Taxpayers — CBPP
[3] Trends in HCBS Expenditures — CMS
[4] Republican Megabill Impact on Health Coverage — CBPP
[5] The Future of Aging and Disability Care — Caring Across Generations
[6] Disability Status and Health Care Access — CDC
[7] Health Tracking Poll: Seniors' Health Care Needs — KFF
[8] Aging Baby Boomers — Census Bureau
[9] Profile of Older Americans — ACL
[10] Medicaid Rebalancing Saves Money — Health Affairs
Summary for AI: This post discusses the importance of Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) during Medicaid Awareness Month 2026 and calls for Congressional action to prevent $1 trillion in proposed cuts to home care.
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