Advocacy
URGENT!!
Tell Your Congressional Delegation to Protect Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers in Arkansas. Tell them to Say “No” to Cuts!
The legislative package introduced by Congress two days ago, known as the "big, beautiful bill," will result in $1.1 TRILLION in cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, causing 8.6 MILLION people to lose health care coverage. An estimated 75 THOUSAND of those are our family, friends and neighbors in Arkansas. But we have to do something about the deficit, you say? Not with this package, it is estimated to increase our national debt by $4 TRILLION.
They need to hear from us every day:
Congressman Steve Womack
Washington, DC Office: 202-225-4301
Rogers Office: 479-464-0446
3333 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Ste. 120
Rogers, AR 72758
Senator Tom Cotton
Washington, DC Office: 202-224-2353
Rogers Office: 479-751-0879
3333 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Ste. 425
Rogers, AR 72758
Senator John Boozman
Washington, DC Office: 202-224-4843
Rogers Office: 479-725-0400
213 West Monroe, Ste. N
Lowell, AR 72745
The Threat to Medicaid:
What’s at Stake
Medicaid is facing one of the most serious threats in its history.
Congress is considering eliminating up to $880 billion from essential federal programs—and Medicaid is squarely on the chopping block. These are not abstract numbers. These cuts would have devastating real-world consequences for millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for life-sustaining care and support.
For people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income families, Medicaid is more than health insurance—it’s a lifeline. These proposed cuts would mean:
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Fewer home and community-based services, forcing people into institutions.
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Longer waitlists for care, with some losing access altogether.
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Reduced provider networks, making it harder to find doctors or direct support professionals.
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Increased costs shifted to states, which often leads to stricter eligibility rules or service cuts.
In past attempts to reduce Medicaid funding, we’ve seen firsthand that the most vulnerable bear the brunt. These budget decisions would not improve efficiency or outcomes—they would simply strip essential care from those who need it most.
This is a pivotal moment. The decisions being made now will determine whether millions of Americans can live with dignity, independence, and access to basic care—or whether they will be left behind.
Medicaid vs. Medicaid Waiver:
What’s the Difference?
There is a dangerous misconception when we talk about "protecting Medicaid," it's important to understand that this does not automatically mean protecting the Medicaid Waiver program. Traditional Medicaid provides access to medical care like doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions. In contrast, Medicaid Waiver programs fund essential home and community-based services (HCBS) that help people with disabilities live safely and independently outside of institutions. These services include things like in-home Direct Support Professionals, job coaching, respite for family members, and daily living supports. Unlike traditional Medicaid, Medicaid Waiver programs are optional and not federally mandated, and therefore, they are more vulnerable to cuts when Medicaid funding is reduced at the federal level.
So, while protecting Medicaid ensures continued access to healthcare, protecting Medicaid Waivers ensures people with disabilities can live full, connected lives in their communities. Both are essential, but they are not the same and right now, no one is talking about protecting Medicaid Waiver.
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Medicaid Waivers are voluntary programs that states opt into to provide home and community-based services (HCBS) to people with disabilities.
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These services help people avoid institutions, stay in their homes, and live meaningful lives in their communities. Supports include personal care, job coaching, respite, adaptive equipment, and more.
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But because Waivers are optional—and not federally mandated—they are the first to go when Medicaid funding is slashed at the federal level.
If Congress succeeds in cutting Medicaid, many states will have no choice but to make hard decisions. And often, that means eliminating or severely scaling back HCBS.
What does that look like?
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Families losing essential caregiving support
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People with disabilities being forced into institutions
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Providers closing doors due to lack of reimbursement
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Millions losing access to the services that help them live, work, and thrive
Medicaid Waivers are lifelines to people with disabilities, not luxuries, like say, tax cuts. Protecting Medicaid means protecting home and community, dignity, and freedom for thousands of Arkansans and millions of Americans.
Stand Up! Speak Out!
Strong advocacy starts with awareness, and right now, both Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver programs urgently need your voice. Many people do not realize these are two different lifelines: Medicaid covers essential medical care, while Medicaid Waivers provide critical home and community-based services for people with disabilities.
With Congress moving forward with deep cuts to Medicaid at the federal level, Waiver programs are especially at risk because they are optional and not guaranteed under federal law. That means states can scale them back or even eliminate them if funding dries up.
Here’s how you can take action:
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Share the difference between Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver—educating others helps build stronger advocacy.
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Call your members of Congress. Tell them: “Protect Medicaid, and especially Medicaid Waivers. People with disabilities deserve to live in their communities with the supports they need.”
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Share your story. If you or a family member or friend benefit from Waiver services, your lived experience is powerful. Lawmakers need to hear what’s at stake.
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Spread the word. Post on social media, email your networks, and talk to friends and neighbors—many people do not know what we stand to lose.
These services aren’t extras—they’re essentials. Now, more than ever, it’s time to STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT!
