July 31, 2025

Tell Congress to Protect Disability Services and Fund Our Future!

There is a new fight on the horizon for people with IDD and those who support them.

Following the budget reconciliation that passed in July, Congress is beginning to decide how much funding each program will receive next year. The President's budget proposal is the starting point of this process, and it recommends cuts to programs that millions of people with disabilities and their families rely on.

We can’t let this happen. Congress must uphold its commitment to people with disabilities!

If Congress adopts the President’s proposal, it would eliminate funding for key programs under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act), including programs that support access to inclusive education, employment, community living, and more.

The proposal also includes policies that would weaken the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by combining multiple funding streams into a single “block grant.” This change could lead to:

• Cuts to preschool programs for young children with disabilities.
• Reduced federal support for special education teachers, counselors, therapists, and paraprofessionals.
• Fewer training opportunities for school staff to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Send a message today by participating in The Arc’s one-click campaign and sharing on X/Twitter, and make a phone call to urge Congress to fully fund IDEA and DD Act programs. Let’s make sure people with disabilities have the support they need to thrive!

Congress members are at home in their district during August Recess, so it is a great time to call their district office directly. You can find your representative here, click the link to their webpage, and find their district office contact information, typically at the bottom of the page.

The Arc NY Joins Hochul and Ryan to Sound Alarm on Medicaid Cuts

On July 18, The Arc New York proudly stood alongside Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer, U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, and fellow advocates at the Kingston YMCA to fight back against devastating Medicaid cuts recently passed at the federal level.

We were honored to be personally invited by the Governor and Commissioner to join this critical conversation. When the rights and services of people with disabilities are threatened, we show up.

The Arc Mid-Hudson CEO John McHugh and Self-Advocate Brian Liston, who continue to be powerful voices in this fight, represented The Arc New York at the press conference.

Together, we’re standing strong to protect the healthcare and support our communities deserve. You can view the photo gallery here and read the governor’s press release, which includes detailed information on the direct fiscal and human impacts in New York state.

The Arc New York Addresses NYS Congressional Republicans

Last week, The Arc New York’s CEO Erik Geizer sent a firm letter to New York’s Republican Congressional delegation, highlighting the impacts of the budget reconciliation package they voted for. He noted that, while there is no direct language in the legislation targeting people with IDD, the pressures on states to find savings will create downstream impacts that threaten IDD supports. Geizer also raised concerns about the President’s budget proposal, particularly the special education policies.

Geizer told New York's representatives, "we need you to stand up against the erosion of supports for people with IDD and other disabilities. These programs must be resourced appropriately and not gutted to a mere shell. Education for children with IDD is already woefully underfunded. A Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is supposed to be a guaranteed right and should not be seen as an opportunity to reduce spending.” You can read the full letter here.

The Arc New York also signed on to a letter to the Republican delegation as part of a larger state coalition, calling on the representatives to advocate for actions to mitigate the impact of Medicaid cuts on the people of New York.

The Arc US Federal Update Webinar

Join The Arc of the United States for a webinar on Tuesday, August 5 at 2:00 PM, where they’ll unpack recent changes to Medicaid, SNAP, and Education included in the newly passed budget bill. They’ll walk through exactly what’s changing, when the changes could take effect, and share tools and resources to support your advocacy efforts as you take action during August Recess. Register here today!

News and Resources

Living With Fear of Medicaid Cuts, New York Times

This article focuses specifically on Home and Community Based Services and speaks to the downstream consequences of cuts to Medicaid

Comptroller Comments on Federal Impact and Introduces Informational Tool

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, breaks down his newly released guide to federal funding on this podcast and gives an overview of the impact to New York state following the signing of the budget reconciliation bill. Watch the podcast here.

Rep. Lawler Chooses not to Run for Governor

Congressman Mike Lawler says he will run for reelection in his Hudson Valley House district in the 2026 midterms, forgoing a bid for New York governor. Read more here.

Educational Resources on Federal Changes Following BBB

Social Current shared an in-depth slide deck and webinar presentation outlining the anticipated impact of the BBB. View the slides here and watch the video here.

New York State of Health also created NY-specific resources, highlighting the fiscal impacts of federal actions. This gives us a preview of what future budgets might contain.