2020 NAELA Public Policy Priorities

I. Expanding Home and Community Based Services 
Far too many individuals with disabilities and older adults cannot receive services at home or in the community due to Medicaid’s institutional bias. Federal law mandates nursing home care, but makes Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) optional. NAELA will continue to work with its coalition partners to advocate key policy changes, such as Money Follows the Person and the requirement that states apply spousal impoverishment protections to Medicaid HCBS waivers.
 
II. Addressing Issues Before the Social Security Administration
This year, NAELA will build a framework to bring matters before the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other policymakers related to key areas of interest, such as supplemental needs trusts and ABLE accounts. NAELA will use this year to develop the infrastructure necessary to take on these issues in a more systematic fashion. 
 
III. Combating Proposals That Harm Medicaid
Medicaid is the principle program for long-term services and supports. NAELA will continue to oppose Section 1115 Waivers that restrict access to services and undermine the purpose of the program.

NAELA Partners and Coalitions

Working Together to Support Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
NAELA advocates with its allies on a broad range of issues impacting seniors and persons with disabilities before Congress, regulators, and the courts. NAELA accomplishes this through participation in a number of coalitions:
 
I. Leadership Council of Aging Organizations. A coalition of 69 prominent national aging advocacy organizations that represent millions of older Americans. Together, we work to preserve and strengthen the well-being of America’s older population.
 
II. Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. The largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. Since 1973, CCD has advocated on behalf of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities and their families.
 
III. Disability & Aging Collaborative. A coalition of national aging and disability organizations working to advance long-term services and supports for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The coalition is now focused primarily on enhancing access to home and community-based services (HCBS), rebalancing, and ensuring consumer engagement, protections, and quality in duals integration and managed long-term services and supports (LTSS).

NAELA will advocate on these broader issues that adhere to our public policy guidelines. Read our guidelines.