Release of Better Care Better Jobs Act and Update on Infrastructure Plan
Today, the Biden administration announced a bi-partisan deal on the proposed infrastructure plan. Although it is not expected to include the proposed $400 billion for the care economy infrastructure, there is a plan in place to tie the infrastructure plan approval to a separate budget reconciliation package later this fall. As part of that future plan, the Better Care Better Jobs Act (BCBJA) was released today, which includes substantial funding for states to expand access to Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS) and addresses the decades-long workforce crisis and our current emergency. The Arc of the United States has been heavily involved in the negotiations with Capitol Hill staff and other stakeholders in the disability, aging and labor communities throughout the development of the bill language.
The legislation will require a huge push from advocates to achieve this historic investment in the Medicaid HCBS system, but we know that advocates across The Arc US and The Arc New York are ready to take action in a big way! The Arc of the US has provided resources below, including an overview of the BCBJA, statement on the legislation, the #CareCantWait blog, a toolbox with letters to the editor and sample social media, national action alert, and Time magazine article. Please feel free to use the tools in all areas of your advocacy.
The Arc New York will continue to advocate strongly for HCBS funding to support our workforce and will launch a forthcoming campaign package directed to our federal legislators expressing the need for urgent and continued support of the I/DD community and field.
