People we serve visited with various Legislators at the Des Moines Capitol on February 29. The main topic of advocacy was the “Work Without Worry” (HF2589) legislation where it is being proposed to raise the asset limits to Medicaid. This would allow people we serve to save their money and work as many hours as they would like without losing their Medicaid benefits. “Spend downs” would rarely be necessary under this bill.
The people we serve put in their own words how having limitations on their assets prevented them from saving for better housing, visiting their family and getting more hours at their jobs. The group talked to several Senators and Representatives including Senator Weiner and Representative Elizabeth Wilson. The most impressive pleas were made to the Health and Human Services Committee leaders Ann Meyer and Joel Fry. The Representatives agreed to meet in a side meeting room to hear people we serves’ thoughts on how change was needed. “I want to be able to visit my family that live out of state. I can’t save enough to go visit them,” stated Eric DeSotel, person served by Systems and a current SUI Board of Directors member.
“I have never felt so proud to be a part of Systems. The people we serve practiced and really gave our Legislators something to think about,” stated Jolene Sorenson, Director of Development and Communications. Carlyn Crowe from the Iowa Developmental Disability Council was a huge support during this year’s Advocacy Day. She provided training for people we serve, helped facilitate getting a grant to pay for costs to travel to Des Moines and was there that day to help navigate the legislative system.
While the “Work Without Worry” bill was the most talked about, Mona Kenyon, CEO, brought up a few more points to put on our Legislators radar. They included having a sustainable rebasing mechanism that provides predictable investment in HCBS services. This would allow all Medicaid providers the ability to budget appropriately and know what percentage of increases that they will be receiving each year. She also brought up that MCOs are reducing payments for the provision of support. Since July of 2023, Systems Unlimited has sustained over $400,000 in payment cuts due to MCO’s reduction in daily rates.
If you would like to email Legislators in favor of the “Work Without Worry” (HF2589) bill, here is a template you can use.
Dear Representative/Senator __________________:
This is (name), and I am a (parent/staff/advocate) of a person living with a disability. I am writing to you about House File #HF2589, which would allow individuals with disabilities to earn more money and continue to receive Medicaid benefits.
I am strongly in favor of this bill and ask you to vote for House File #HF2589.
If the bill passes, it will positively impact people with disabilities by allowing them to accept work promotions or raises without fear of losing their benefits, save money for future expenses, and the bill will generate more income for the state.
Please let me know your position on the Work without Worry Bill.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
*Link to Find your Legislator: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find
