The United States Senate is considering significant cuts to Medicaid.

Recently the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a budget proposal that would lead to ~$880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, to help pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts for ultra-wealthy billionaires. Now, the U.S. Senate is considering the budget proposal. 

These massive cuts to Medicaid would be devastating for over 80 million people across the country, including 17 million people with disabilities and older adults who rely on healthcare and home and community-based services through Medicaid. 

Why is Medicaid important?

Medicaid pays for over 60% of long-term care costs in the United States and about one-fifth of all healthcare costs in the country. As the primary contributor to long-term care in the U.S., Medicaid pays for many services for people with disabilities, including:

• -DSPD waivers: Community Supports Waiver, Community Transitions Waiver, Limited Supports Waiver, Brain Injury Waiver, Physical Disabilities Waiver.
• -Other Medicaid Waivers: Medically Complex Children's Waiver, Technology Dependent Waiver, New Choices Waiver, and the Aging Waiver.
• -Many school-based services for students with disabilities, including many services included in IEPs (“Individualized Education Programs”), early intervention, and transition services.
• -Comprehensive healthcare for many children and adults with disabilities, including prescription drugs, vision and dental care, behavioral health services, physical therapy, speech therapy, autism therapies, and occupational therapy for children with disabilities, in addition to traditional healthcare coverage. 
• *[Note: Most private health insurance companies do not cover many of these critical disability-related services at all.]

In addition, since DSPD and other Medicaid waivers are considered “optional” Medicaid services, they would likely be among the first services cut. These cuts would weaken the entire service system for people with disabilities, as millions of caregivers and home-based service providers are also paid through Medicaid. This would be devastating to EVERYONE in Utah with a disability, and their families.

Want more information? Learn more about Medicaid!

For more facts about Medicaid in the US, see this factsheet by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD): https://nacdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/250204_NACDD-Medicaid-Fact-Sheet.pdf 

For more facts about Medicaid in Utah, see this factsheet by The Arc: https://thearc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Medicaid-Leave-Behind-Utah.pdf 

ACT NOW!

You can help prevent these devastating cuts by calling and emailing Utah’s Congress members right now!

Unfortunately, we often don’t know when a congressional vote will occur until a day or two beforehand. But Senate conversations about this budget proposal are happening NOW. So don’t wait to contact your senators and tell them how important Medicaid is for Utahns, and how devastating cuts would be to the disability community.

Call & Email: If you or a loved one relies on Medicaid or any Medicaid-funded service, make sure to call/email your senators and tell them how these services benefit your life! Utah has two senators, who both represent all of Utah. Call and email both of your congressional senators today! 

[Please note: when you contact them, you will likely speak with a member of their staff, not with the senators themselves – and that’s okay! Congress members rely heavily on their staff to learn about different policy issues and hear from constituents. Talking to a staff member can be just as effective!]

Contact Info:

Call Senator John Curtis: 202-224-5251

Call Senator Mike Lee: 202-224-5444

To email both Senators at once, click here. [This link will take you to a pre-filled email regarding Medicaid via The Arc. It will require you to enter your address in order to send it to the correct Senators. You can add to or change any of the email text before sending, so make sure to introduce yourself and tell them how Medicaid affects YOU!]

If you or your family/friends live outside of Utah, you can call other states’ senators by calling (202) 224-3121 and letting the operator know which senators you would like to speak with.

What should I say?

If you need help thinking of things to say, see the sample script below. Take whatever parts you like, and add your own experience. You can also include any of the information in this email above, as well as any personal stories you have. Personal experiences can often be more influential than just data and facts alone! Just make sure to keep your calls and emails brief (ideally around 2-4 paragraphs) – it makes it more likely that your message will be seen and remembered!

Sample Script: 

“Good [morning/afternoon]. My name is [Your Full Name], and I’m a constituent from [City/Town, State]. I’m reaching out today because I’m deeply concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid, particularly the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that support people [like me] who live with disabilities. 

I live with [briefly describe your disability/condition] and rely on Medicaid to access critical services that allow me to live independently in my community. For me, and for so many others, HCBS are not just a convenience—they are fundamental to our ability to live with dignity and be part of society. Without these services, I would risk being forced into an institution, away from my family, my job, and the life I’ve worked hard to build. I would like a response from the Senator. Thank you.” 

Extra Advocacy Opportunity: Share on Social Media!

If you want to go a step further, you can even post on your social media, to let others know about this opportunity to advocate for Medicaid!

Sample post:

“Today, I told [hashtag for your senator] that people with disabilities will be harmed by potential cuts to Medicaid, especially the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that support individuals who live with disabilities. You can too! Just call (202) 224-3121 and follow the prompts to contact your Senators in Congress today! #ProtectMedicaid #HandsOffMedicaid”

For more questions or if you need additional support please email us: at UDDC@utah.gov

Questions?

801-272-1051

info@utahparentcenter.org