Advocacy Alerts & Resources - Penn-Mar

Advocacy Alerts & Resources

This page contains important information regarding the proposed MD FY26 budget cuts and Medicaid cuts, as well as action items, resources, and upcoming advocacy events. Please refer back to this page for up-to-date information and resources.

Maryland Budget News

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s recently proposed FY 26 budget includes significant cuts that could deeply impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the providers who support them.

Updated proposal as of March 26th 2025: The Senate Budget and Taxation (B&T) Committee announced its budget decisions for FY26, confirming the restoration of significant amounts of the DDA budget.

  • Budget Cuts
    $292 million has been restored to the FY26 Developmental Disabilities Administration budget
    House approved a 1% rate increase and expansion funding for transitioning youth and others who will be new to services in FY26

  • The House added back $2 million for the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program, and DDA shall establish a cap of $1,000 per LISS participant.

Proposal as of January 2025:

  • Budget Cuts
    FY 25 cuts total $194 million (includes state and federal funding)
    FY 26 cuts are projected to reach $470 million (includes state and federal funding)
    This represents a 22% reduction in community supports

    You can read the full proposed cuts to IDD services here

  • The elimination of the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program, which provides grants up to $2,000 to individuals who receive no other supports from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

Medicaid News

The House of Representatives recently passed a budget framework calling for cuts of at least $880 billion—cuts that would likely target Medicaid.

These cuts would have devastating consequences for people with I/DD, potentially stripping away access to vital supports that allow individuals to remain in their communities. These are not just numbers—they represent real people whose independence and well-being are at stake.

Budget Cuts would:

  • Shift Medicaid costs to states, forcing them to cut provider rates or reduce essential services.
  • Threaten home and community-based services , leading to longer waitlists and higher rates of institutionalization.
  • Put people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) at risk of losing some supports.

Action Steps to Save IDD Funding

Tell your Senators and Representative to reject Medicaid cuts and protect services for people with disabilities using ANCOR’s letter submission form.

Resources

Medicaid Resource Center | ANCOR

Budget Overview

Find Your Representatives

LISS Advocacy Toolkit

Budget Cut Fact Sheet and Letter

 Still have questions? Contact tinachansweenie@penn-mar.org.

Translate »