ANCOR
@therealancor.bsky.social
Advancing the future of supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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ANCOR
@therealancor.bsky.social
· Jan 29
HCBS Explainer
YouTube video by ANCOR
youtu.be
Ever wonder why community-based disability services are so vital? Here’s why it’s crucial that we strengthen—not weaken—the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program.
#disability #disabilityinclusion #ltss #hcbs #medicaid
#disability #disabilityinclusion #ltss #hcbs #medicaid
Today, ANCOR relased our seventh annual survey of disability service providers, continuing our effort to better understand how providers navigate long-term shortages of direct support professionals (DSPs).
September 30, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Today, ANCOR relased our seventh annual survey of disability service providers, continuing our effort to better understand how providers navigate long-term shortages of direct support professionals (DSPs).
Following the issuing of a final order in the Texas v. Kennedy case, ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill condemns the actions of the DOJ and HHS as they step back from their role as enforcer of the integration mandate.
Read her statement ⬇️
Read her statement ⬇️
ANCOR Condemns Administration for Efforts to Erode Community Inclusion Following Final Order in Texas v. Kennedy | ANCOR
www.ancor.org
September 24, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Following the issuing of a final order in the Texas v. Kennedy case, ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill condemns the actions of the DOJ and HHS as they step back from their role as enforcer of the integration mandate.
Read her statement ⬇️
Read her statement ⬇️
StoryCorps, in partnership with @librarycongress.bsky.social, invited two DSPs from EPI, Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman and Danielle Knavel, to share their COVID-19 experiences as part of the COVID-19 American History Project.
Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman and Danielle Knavel
Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman (48) speaks with colleague Danielle Knavel (42) about their work as Direct Support Professionals (DSP). Kimberly recalls the period she decided to move in with a group to p...
archive.storycorps.org
September 22, 2026 at 8:03 PM
StoryCorps, in partnership with @librarycongress.bsky.social, invited two DSPs from EPI, Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman and Danielle Knavel, to share their COVID-19 experiences as part of the COVID-19 American History Project.
ANCOR is proud to join @nhelp.bsky.social, @centerforpublicrep.bsky.social and 68 organizations in filing an amicus brief in Massachusetts v. Oz, detailing how the administration’s Medicaid work requirements rule will threaten coverage for people with serious illnesses & disabilities.
People with Serious Health Conditions Will Lose Medicaid Under Trump Administration Work Requirement Rule | ANCOR
ANCOR joins with 70 other organizations in filing amicus brief on the risk to health coverage for people with disabilities posed by the Trump administration’s Medicaid work requirements
www.ancor.org
September 11, 2026 at 8:49 PM
ANCOR is proud to join @nhelp.bsky.social, @centerforpublicrep.bsky.social and 68 organizations in filing an amicus brief in Massachusetts v. Oz, detailing how the administration’s Medicaid work requirements rule will threaten coverage for people with serious illnesses & disabilities.
TIME published an op-ed from Barbara Merrill and the Honorable Tony Coelho addressing the current attacks on disability rights that threaten the promised right to inclusion for people with disabilities.
Read here:
Read here:
August 20, 2026 at 3:55 PM
TIME published an op-ed from Barbara Merrill and the Honorable Tony Coelho addressing the current attacks on disability rights that threaten the promised right to inclusion for people with disabilities.
Read here:
Read here:
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill and the Honorable Tony Coelho share in @time.com why the foundation of our nation’s wide spectrum of community-based services is crumbling & how continued attacks risk the inclusion promised to people with disabilities through the ADA.
Read our op-ed ⬇️
Read our op-ed ⬇️
The Promise We Made to Americans with Disabilities Is Under Attack
“The foundation that underpins our nation’s wide spectrum of community-based services is crumbling,” write Barbara Merrill and Tony Coelho.
time.com
August 11, 2026 at 6:33 PM
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill and the Honorable Tony Coelho share in @time.com why the foundation of our nation’s wide spectrum of community-based services is crumbling & how continued attacks risk the inclusion promised to people with disabilities through the ADA.
Read our op-ed ⬇️
Read our op-ed ⬇️
ANCOR is proud to support the HCBS Access Act reintroduced by @lujan.senate.gov & @kaine.senate.gov. This bill will make much-needed investments into the Medicaid HCBS system and strengthen access to community-based services for people with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Luján, Kaine Lead Legislation to Expand Access to Home and Community-Based Care for Older Adults and People with Disabilities - Senator Ben Ray Luján
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act, legislation to ensure older adults and people with dis...
www.lujan.senate.gov
August 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
ANCOR is proud to support the HCBS Access Act reintroduced by @lujan.senate.gov & @kaine.senate.gov. This bill will make much-needed investments into the Medicaid HCBS system and strengthen access to community-based services for people with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Today, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee voted the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act unanimously out of committee. Help us keep up the momentum.
Take action today & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Take action today & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Tell Congress to Support the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act | ANCOR
The bipartisan Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act urges the Office of Management and Budget to establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professio...
www.ancor.org
August 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Today, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee voted the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act unanimously out of committee. Help us keep up the momentum.
Take action today & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Take action today & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
In the latest from @washingtonpost.com, Lydia Dawson, ANCOR Vice President of Government Relations, shares why we're concerned about the administration's commitment to community integration.
Read more ⬇️
Read more ⬇️
In a letter to Health Secretary RFK Jr. and acting attorney general Todd Blanche, the chairman of the Special Olympics — who is also Kennedy’s cousin — asked to reverse course on a memorandum that could narrow federal protections for disability care.
In letter to cousin RFK Jr., health advocate warns of threats to disability care
Tim Shriver said that a recent Justice Department memo could lead to more people with disabilities being institutionalized.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
In the latest from @washingtonpost.com, Lydia Dawson, ANCOR Vice President of Government Relations, shares why we're concerned about the administration's commitment to community integration.
Read more ⬇️
Read more ⬇️
Next up for the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act: a markup in the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on 8/5. We need your help to keep up the pressure to pass this bill.
Take action & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Take action & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Tell Congress to Support the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act | ANCOR
The bipartisan Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act urges the Office of Management and Budget to establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professio...
www.ancor.org
August 3, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Next up for the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act: a markup in the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on 8/5. We need your help to keep up the pressure to pass this bill.
Take action & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
Take action & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
In politico.com's West Wing Playbook newsletter, ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill shares why ANCOR is fighting for community living for people with disabilities in light of the U.S. Department of Justice's new guidance.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Trump DOJ upends disability rights guidance
www.politico.com
July 31, 2026 at 2:19 PM
In politico.com's West Wing Playbook newsletter, ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill shares why ANCOR is fighting for community living for people with disabilities in light of the U.S. Department of Justice's new guidance.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Each July, Disability Pride Month invites us to celebrate the strength, diversity, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing the importance of creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
by Jordan Baker, Relias
www.ancor.org/connections/... #connections
by Jordan Baker, Relias
www.ancor.org/connections/... #connections
Disability Pride Month: Honoring Progress, Advancing Inclusion Every Day | ANCOR
While tremendous progress has been made over the past three decades, Disability Pride Month reminds us that inclusion is an ongoing commitment — one that requires all of us to continue removing barrie...
www.ancor.org
July 23, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Each July, Disability Pride Month invites us to celebrate the strength, diversity, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing the importance of creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
by Jordan Baker, Relias
www.ancor.org/connections/... #connections
by Jordan Baker, Relias
www.ancor.org/connections/... #connections
ANCOR is proud to endorse the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act introduced by @mcbride.house.gov & Rep. Hill.
This bill will expand the Disabled Access Credit, giving small businesses more resources to make workplaces accessible for employees with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
This bill will expand the Disabled Access Credit, giving small businesses more resources to make workplaces accessible for employees with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
Today I introduced the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act — bipartisan legislation that will empower more Delawareans with disabilities to thrive in the workforce. Here's how.
July 23, 2026 at 1:57 PM
ANCOR is proud to endorse the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act introduced by @mcbride.house.gov & Rep. Hill.
This bill will expand the Disabled Access Credit, giving small businesses more resources to make workplaces accessible for employees with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
This bill will expand the Disabled Access Credit, giving small businesses more resources to make workplaces accessible for employees with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
On July 26, the disability community will mark the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
That makes the weeks following the anniversary an especially important time for advocates to engage with members of Congress.
www.ancor.org/connections/...
That makes the weeks following the anniversary an especially important time for advocates to engage with members of Congress.
www.ancor.org/connections/...
Honor the ADA by Bringing Advocacy Home This August | ANCOR
August recess offers one of the best opportunities of the year to show lawmakers how decisions about Medicaid, community-based services and the direct support workforce affect people with intellectual...
www.ancor.org
July 22, 2026 at 7:23 PM
On July 26, the disability community will mark the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
That makes the weeks following the anniversary an especially important time for advocates to engage with members of Congress.
www.ancor.org/connections/...
That makes the weeks following the anniversary an especially important time for advocates to engage with members of Congress.
www.ancor.org/connections/...
Darryl Wood, a DSP & executive director at ANCOR member LEAP in Maine, urged Senators Collins and King, and @pingree.house.gov and Rep. Golden, to reject all proposals that put community-based services for people with disabilities at risk in the Portland Press Herald.
Read his LTE ⬇
Read his LTE ⬇
Maine’s community-based services need support | Letter
As a registered nurse and a direct support professional myself, I build my life around showing up for others. I’ve been there for early mornings, long nights and moments of real vulnerability. I suppo...
www.pressherald.com
July 21, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Darryl Wood, a DSP & executive director at ANCOR member LEAP in Maine, urged Senators Collins and King, and @pingree.house.gov and Rep. Golden, to reject all proposals that put community-based services for people with disabilities at risk in the Portland Press Herald.
Read his LTE ⬇
Read his LTE ⬇
ANCOR is proud to support the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act reintroduced by @kaine.senate.gov. This bill will improve disability services by making much-needed investments to support the direct care workforce and family caregivers.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Kaine Introduces Legislation to Support Direct Care Workforce, Family Caregivers | U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the...
www.kaine.senate.gov
July 1, 2026 at 2:06 PM
ANCOR is proud to support the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act reintroduced by @kaine.senate.gov. This bill will improve disability services by making much-needed investments to support the direct care workforce and family caregivers.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, we must reaffirm our commitment to community inclusion. Read ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill's response to DOJ's harmful memo that would undermine individuals’ access to community-based services.
ANCOR Issues Statement on Department of Justice Integration Mandate Memo | ANCOR
While such a memo does not have the force and effect of law, it represents the latest in a long line of actions subverting dignity, choice and community for people with disabilities—principles that ar...
www.ancor.org
June 22, 2026 at 8:49 PM
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, we must reaffirm our commitment to community inclusion. Read ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill's response to DOJ's harmful memo that would undermine individuals’ access to community-based services.
Today in @thehill.com , ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill, @easterseals.bsky.social President & CEO Kendra Davenport, and UCP Interim President & CEO Diane Wilush highlight the caregiver workforce crisis and why policymakers must invest in community-based services.
Read our op-ed ⬇️
Read our op-ed ⬇️
The caregivers you’ve never heard of are in crisis
This workforce and the home and community-based care system that supports them is in crisis.
thehill.com
May 19, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Today in @thehill.com , ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill, @easterseals.bsky.social President & CEO Kendra Davenport, and UCP Interim President & CEO Diane Wilush highlight the caregiver workforce crisis and why policymakers must invest in community-based services.
Read our op-ed ⬇️
Read our op-ed ⬇️
ANCOR is proud to support the HCBS Access Act reintroduced by @debbiedingell.house.gov & @schakowsky.house.gov. This bill will make much-needed investments into the Medicaid HCBS system and strengthen access to community-based services for people with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Press Releases | Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
debbiedingell.house.gov
April 30, 2026 at 2:39 PM
ANCOR is proud to support the HCBS Access Act reintroduced by @debbiedingell.house.gov & @schakowsky.house.gov. This bill will make much-needed investments into the Medicaid HCBS system and strengthen access to community-based services for people with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
Learn more ⬇️
Thank you @debbiedingell.house.gov, @replsimon.bsky.social & @pettersen.house.gov for honoring the essential work of direct support professionals who empower people with disabilities by introducing a resolution designating April as #CareWorkersRecognitionMonth.
Dingell, Simon, Pettersen Introduce Resolution Marking Care Workers Recognition Month
democraticwomenscaucus.house.gov
April 27, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Thank you @debbiedingell.house.gov, @replsimon.bsky.social & @pettersen.house.gov for honoring the essential work of direct support professionals who empower people with disabilities by introducing a resolution designating April as #CareWorkersRecognitionMonth.
“They didn’t just denigrate family caregivers, they denigrated the work of the professionals in our fields by suggesting that all HCBS could just be done by family caregivers, and it should all be done for free," said ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill in @nbcnews.com @mikehixenbaugh.com article. Read more:
RFK Jr. draws backlash for ripping Medicaid programs that pay people to care for relatives
Advocates for disabled people and those who care for them said they were insulted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s allegations that the programs are "rife with fraud."
www.nbcnews.com
April 23, 2026 at 7:10 PM
“They didn’t just denigrate family caregivers, they denigrated the work of the professionals in our fields by suggesting that all HCBS could just be done by family caregivers, and it should all be done for free," said ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill in @nbcnews.com @mikehixenbaugh.com article. Read more:
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill issued a statement in response to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s remarks in front of the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday.
Read the full statement below.
Read the full statement below.
ANCOR Issues Response to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Concerning Remarks About Home- and Community-Based Services | ANCOR
The undervaluing of HCBS demeans the very real, complex, and difficult work that caregivers—whether paid or unpaid—provide.
www.ancor.org
April 17, 2026 at 6:21 PM
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill issued a statement in response to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s remarks in front of the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday.
Read the full statement below.
Read the full statement below.
ANCOR is proud to support the SSI Savings and Efficiency Act introduced by @davids.house.gov and @scanlon.house.gov . This bill will provide a common-sense fix to enable people with disabilities and older adults to access the support they need to remain in their homes and communities.
Learn more⬇️
Learn more⬇️
Davids, Scanlon Introduce Bill to Stop Social Security Cuts for Seniors, People with Disabilities
Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced new legislation to change a longstanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rule that can reduce benefits for seni...
davids.house.gov
April 15, 2026 at 7:38 PM
ANCOR is proud to support the SSI Savings and Efficiency Act introduced by @davids.house.gov and @scanlon.house.gov . This bill will provide a common-sense fix to enable people with disabilities and older adults to access the support they need to remain in their homes and communities.
Learn more⬇️
Learn more⬇️
“Cutting more funding from Medicaid—after decades of underinvestment and on top of significant cuts included in H.R. 1—creates great uncertainty for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and the community providers who support them."
ANCOR Issues Statement on President's FY 2027 Budget | ANCOR
Cutting more funding from Medicaid—after decades of underinvestment and on top of significant cuts included in H.R. 1—creates great uncertainty for people with intellectual and developmental disabilit...
www.ancor.org
April 3, 2026 at 6:32 PM
“Cutting more funding from Medicaid—after decades of underinvestment and on top of significant cuts included in H.R. 1—creates great uncertainty for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and the community providers who support them."
DSPs are the backbone of community-based services for people with I/DD. As #CareWorkersRecognitionMonth begins, support the direct support workforce & ensure better data collection.
April 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
DSPs are the backbone of community-based services for people with I/DD. As #CareWorkersRecognitionMonth begins, support the direct support workforce & ensure better data collection.