For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Contact: Naomi Hess, communications@aapd.com; 202-873-4011
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) applauds Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) for the reintroduction of the HCBS Access Act. This critical legislation comes at a pivotal moment for the disability community. Currently, over 600,000 Americans remain on waiting lists for home- and community-based services (HCBS), and more than 105 million Americans continue to provide unpaid care to family members without adequate access to these essential supports.
The HCBS Access Act is needed now more than ever. Across the country, states are beginning to make devastating cuts to HCBS and disability programs as they grapple with the $1 trillion in Medicaid funding cuts passed last summer as part of H.R. 1. As a result, several states are already considering and/or implementing significant reductions to their HCBS programs to balance their budgets, threatening the independence and safety of millions from Idaho to Maryland.
“AAPD is deeply thankful to Representatives Dingell and Schakowsky for their leadership in reintroducing the HCBS Access Act,” said Maria Town, AAPD President and CEO. “Older Americans, people with disabilities, and their families are facing an acute crisis from our nation’s longstanding underinvestment in care infrastructure. Nationwide shortage of HCBS funding and direct support professionals, in addition to low wages for caregivers creates a life-and-death crisis for many. People with disabilities and older adults should be able to receive the care and services to remain in their homes and age with dignity, instead of being forced into institutional settings. We urge Congress to pass this bill and invest in HCBS to support dignified and fair wages for our nation’s home care workers and support family caregivers,” Town continued.
“The recent rhetoric from Vice President Vance, Secretary Kennedy, and CMS Administrator Oz that characterizes caregiving, family caregivers, and other HCBS as “fraud” is insulting, harmful, and false. Congress must prioritize the lives of its constituents — one in five of whom have a disability — by passing the HCBS Access Act and fulfilling the promise of a safe, independent, and dignified life for all,” Town concluded.