For Immediate Release: September 29, 2026
For Information Contact;
Christopher Murphy at 507-340-3889
Lydia Nunez at 832-630-8419
Washington, D.C.—- ADAPT braved extra rigorous security measures and some inhospitable Senate staff members to deliver personal testimony while seeking support for two much needed bills currently under review by the Senate Finance Committee. The bills are the HCBS Access Act (S.5320/H.R.8540) and the Medicare at Home Act (S5270/H.R.10020,) and both improve the ability of disabled and aging people to avoid institutional settings in order to receive the services they need to live in their own homes and communities. Improving these essential services also helps people transition out of nursing homes and other institutions back into their communities and into their own homes.
“First we were over-screened at the entries to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings, wanded several times on every part of our bodies, as well as being patted down. We could only enter the building one person at a time,” said Lauren Alden of Philadelphia ADAPT. “Then we went into one office to share some powerful, heart wrenching personal stories and Fox News was on the TV. I innocently asked if that channel was mandatory in the office and the staff person told her colleague to turn it up louder, making it hard to share the emotional realities of our lives and the fear of losing our freedom.”
The two bills in question are especially important in light of recent actions by the Trump administration, including a memo from the Department of Justice Office of Legal Council stating that current disability laws and Supreme Court decisions do not guarantee the right of people with disabilities to live freely in their communities instead of being forced into institutions to receive needed services. The HBCS Access Act provides that home and community services are mandatory in the states, not optional; removes waiting lists for services; increases funding; and provides better wages and benefits for care workers and training and support for family members who provide care for relatives.
One of the most moving personal stories was delivered through the tears of Rejeanne Francois-Bennett, of Upstate New York ADAPT, who has provided care to the same person for 14 years. “I love my job,” she said. “I love my job even though I work seven days a week, often 10-12 hour shifts. I get to see my daughter maybe 10 hours a week as a result. But I have to work, at the low wages paid by the state because it keeps the roof over our heads and food on our table. We need to be paid a livable wage, have good health care, and have procedures in place for some time off like other workers.”
While the HCBS Access Act deals with Medicaid funded services, the Medicare at Home Act assures similar home and community-based services for older and disabled persons who are covered by Medicare. Currently those services have to be paid by the person, often draining their resources or those of their family. Like the HCBS Access Act, the Medicare at Home Act would help keep disabled and older people in their own homes and not be forced into nursing homes to get services.
ADAPT is in Washington all week and will continue to share news, photos and live streams on the National ADAPT FaceBook page