Speak Up for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Helping protect the services that support people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities.

Everything you need to understand why impending Medicaid cuts threaten Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), why these services are especially vulnerable, and how to speak up confidently in support of protecting HCBS is here.

Explore the featured toolkit below—your one-stop resource for understanding the issues, preparing to speak up, and taking action. Inside you’ll find background information, current issues, legislator resources, sample scripts, meeting guidance, storytelling support, templates, and resources to share with others. If you’d like a quick introduction to what HCBS are and why they matter before diving into the toolkit, scroll down to explore the expandable topics below.

Protecting Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Featured Toolkit:

  • Protect HCBS from Medicaid Funding Cuts
  • More HCBS toolkits coming soon

→ Explore this toolkit

Select a topic below to expand or collapse the information.

What are Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are Medicaid-funded services that help many people with disabilities and older adults live in their own homes and communities instead of institutions or nursing facilities.

Depending on a person’s needs, HCBS may include:

  • Personal assistance
  • Employment supports
  • In-home nursing
  • Community participation
  • Transportation
  • Respite care
  • Assistive technology
  • Other services that support independent living

For millions of people, HCBS make it possible to work, attend school, spend time with family, and participate in their communities.

Why are HCBS important?

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) help people with disabilities live with greater independence, choice, and dignity. They often cost less than institutional care while producing better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

HCBS allow people to:

  • Live in their own homes and communities.
  • Work, attend school, and volunteer.
  • Build relationships with family and friends.
  • Participate in community life.
  • Make decisions about their own lives.

Protecting HCBS helps ensure people can continue living where they choose with the supports they need.

Why is PennTASH focused on HCBS right now?

Home and Community-Based Services are facing growing challenges at both the federal and state levels. Proposed Medicaid funding changes, workforce shortages, and increasing demand all threaten access to these essential services.

PennTASH is focusing on HCBS because protecting community living is central to disability rights and inclusion. When HCBS are weakened, people may lose services that allow them to remain in their homes, participate in their communities, and avoid unnecessary institutionalization.

Federal Issues

Federal decisions about Medicaid funding and disability policy can directly affect Home and Community-Based Services across the country.

This section will explain:

  • Current federal legislation and proposals.
  • How Congress can affect HCBS funding.
  • National advocacy priorities.
  • Opportunities to contact your Members of Congress.

Featured toolkits will help you understand current federal issues and take action when needed.

Pennsylvania Issues

Pennsylvania makes many decisions about how Home and Community-Based Services are funded, administered, and delivered.

This section will cover topics such as:

  • Pennsylvania budget decisions.
  • Waiver programs.
  • State legislation.
  • State agencies and policies.
  • Opportunities to contact Pennsylvania legislators and officials.

Featured toolkits will provide practical guidance for current Pennsylvania issues.

More HCBS Toolkits Coming Soon

PennTASH is building a growing collection of practical advocacy toolkits covering important Home and Community-Based Services issues.

Future toolkits may include topics such as:

  • Direct Support Professional workforce.
  • Waiting lists.
  • Self-direction.
  • Transportation.
  • Employment supports.
  • Housing.
  • Assistive technology.
  • Other emerging HCBS issues.

Check back often as new resources are added.

Ready to Speak Up?