11/18/25
From The Arc United States –
When students with disabilities get a quality public education, they gain the tools they need to pursue their future goals and lead an independent life. Without it, they face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, poor health, and social isolation.
Share why public education matters to you!
10/7/25
State funding for the Autism Navigator program was eliminated from the state budget — a decision that impacts not only families with autism, but our entire community.
Your voice matters! Please contact Governor Whitmer and Speaker Matt Hall to urge them to restore this vital funding in the year-end supplemental budget. Families with autism are counting on all of us.
Speaker Matt Hall (@RepMattHall)
Phone: (517) 373-1784
Email: MattHall@house.mi.gov
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer)
Phone: 517-335-7858 (Constituent Services)
Email: https://somgovweb.state.mi.us/ContactGovernor
View the Detroit News coverage here: http://bit.ly/4o50Fyz
9/18/25
TAKE ACTION! House Republicans’ Proposed Budget Cuts
Why This Budget Matters
- The House Republicans’ proposed budget cuts $4.95 billion from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
- These cuts would gut essential programs that protect the health, safety, and independence of Michiganders, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- More than 1,600 positions would be eliminated, reducing child protective services, benefits access, public health protections, and oversight of fraud and abuse.
Impact on Services
Health & Basic Needs: Loss of adult dental coverage ($20M), maternal health hospital funding ($10M), and homelessness supports ($4M).
- Safety & Inclusion: Elimination of the Office of Community Violence ($7M), undermining statewide gun violence prevention.
- Behavioral Health: Cuts of $6.8M to psychiatric hospitals and failure to fund the new Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital (slated for 2026). This worsens wait times and reduces critical mental health care.
- Medicaid Coverage: One-third of rural Michiganders rely on Medicaid. Thousands risk losing coverage, forcing hospitals to absorb costs and even face closure.
Why It Matters for People with Disabilities
- Many people with IDD rely on Medicaid for health care and community supports.
- Cuts threaten direct support professionals (DSPs), home- and community-based services, and inclusion efforts.
- Families would shoulder more of the burden, risking institutionalization or loss of independence for people with disabilities.
- Closing gaps in care and services isn’t optional — it’s a matter of rights, dignity, and survival.
Take Action Message
If you want to use your voice to express your concerns for these budget cuts, contact your state legislator. Below is an example of what your email could look like:
“Subject: Protect Services for People with Disabilities and Michigan Families
Dear [Representative’s Name],
As your constituent and a supporter of The Arc of Oakland County, I am deeply concerned about the proposed House budget, which cuts $4.95 billion from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. These cuts would devastate health, safety, and disability services across our state.
Specifically, this budget would:
- Eliminate over 1,600 essential MDHHS staff positions, including child protective services, benefits specialists, and public health experts.
- Cut vital services such as adult dental coverage, maternal health programs, and supports for people experiencing homelessness.
- Slash $6.8 million from psychiatric hospitals and fail to fund the new Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital.
- Endanger Medicaid coverage for thousands, especially in rural communities, threatening access to care and risking hospital closures.
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, these cuts mean fewer direct support professionals, reduced access to home- and community-based services, and greater strain on families who already provide critical care.
I urge you to reject these cuts and protect funding for MDHHS. Michigan families — especially those with disabilities — deserve stability, safety, and support.”
Thank you for your leadership in protecting our most vulnerable communities.
CLICK HERE to find your legislator.
9/9/25
Action Alert from Incompass Michigan and MALA
The Michigan Legislature is finalizing the FY 2025–2026 budget, set to take effect October 1, 2025 — now just a few days away.
While both the Senate and House budgets continue the $3.40 per hour in wage increases for direct care workers, Section 1033 of the House budget proposes a $4.56 per hour reduction in direct care agency rates, totaling $215.8 million in reduced Medicaid funding. Direct care agencies would still be required to maintain the wage increases for eligible direct care workers, meaning the reduction would have to come from provider overhead costs. (The Senate budget does not include this rate reduction.)
Click to view Substitute House Bill Number 4076, Sections 1031 and 1033.
Click to view the House Fiscal Agency analysis of Medicaid and Behavioral Health for Substitute House Bill Number 4706. (See Page 76, Item 17).
This proposed cut is unsustainable and threatens the viability of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers. Direct care agencies operate with tight budgets, and any funding reductions would jeopardize staffing, service quality, and access to services in Michigan’s behavioral health system.
Incompass Michigan is collaborating with MALA in urging our members to contact their State Representative and State Senator to communicate opposition to Section 1033 and any reductions in provider rates.
Act now to protect Home and Community-Based Services for individuals with disabilities.
CLICK HERE to contact your legislator!
8/12/25
Protect Minimum Wage and Overtime for the Direct Care Workforce
The U.S. Department of Labor is considering removing minimum wage and overtime protections for direct care and personal care workers — the essential workforce that supports older adults and people with disabilities.
This change would roll back protections to pre-1975 standards, potentially reducing pay and worsening working conditions for caregivers. That means fewer workers, less support, and greater challenges for those who rely on these services to live independently.
🧑🦽➡️This decision could deeply impact people with disabilities who depend on consistent, quality care to live with dignity.
🗓 The public comment period is open until September 2, 2025. Make your voice heard.
📄 Read the proposed rule: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-02/pdf/2025-12316.pdf
✍️ Submit your comment here: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/CpSmSK-FArhZpEfOz9A0Gg
#DisabilityRights #CareCantWait #ProtectCareWorkers #DOL #HomeCare #DirectCare #IndependentLiving
Disability Care Services Are Under Siege – Fight Back
Right now, Congress is debating huge budget cuts to Medicaid. On the table are proposals that take away health care and disability services for those who need them the most.
People with disabilities want to learn, contribute to their communities, and live as independently as possible, no matter the level of care and support they need. Millions of people with disabilities get their health insurance through Medicaid—and for kids, it’s often the only coverage that meets their needs.
Join the thousands of people who are mobilizing to defend Medicaid.