As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, we wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a safe, happy, and meaningful Independence Day.
The Fourth of July is a celebration of freedom, opportunity, and the promise that every American deserves the chance to pursue a full and meaningful life.
For the disability community, those ideals aren’t abstract.
They mean having the support to live at home with your family. It can also mean being able to work, learn, volunteer, worship, and participate in your community. Most of all, it means having choices that preserve the care, safety, and dignity of disabled Americans.
For decades, disability advocates have worked to make those opportunities a reality through the expansion of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and the protections established by the landmark Olmstead decision.
While nothing has changed yet, disability rights organizations across the country have expressed serious concerns about what it could mean if those protections are weakened in the future.
It’s something we’re watching closely.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned over the past few years is that important policy changes don’t always happen during the legislative session.
Last summer, the 4% Medicaid reimbursement cuts to providers were announced while the Idaho Legislature was out of session.
Change doesn’t always wait for January.
That’s why staying informed throughout the year matters just as much as paying attention when lawmakers are meeting.
Celebrate this weekend. Enjoy your family. Take a well-deserved break.
Then come back ready to stay engaged.
Behind the scenes, we’re preparing to begin outreach to candidates running for local, statewide, and federal office.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be asking where they stand on disability rights, Medicaid, HCBS, caregiver workforce issues, and access to care.
We have an opportunity to learn where candidates stand on these issues and provide voters with factual, nonpartisan information. The more thoughtful and consistent the questions, the more information voters will have available when evaluating candidates. And that’s why this project matters so much to us…and to you!
The freedoms we celebrate this weekend should belong to everyone.
That includes disabled Idahoans, and it includes families who rely on community-based supports.
It also includes the ability to live, learn, work, and thrive in our communities—not because it’s easier or less expensive (yet it often is)...
But because every person deserves the dignity, liberty, and opportunity to build a life in the place they call home.
Enjoy your holiday. Celebrate the progress we’ve made. And when the fireworks are over, we’ll keep doing the work together.
Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Fair Care Idaho.
Remember, we’re in this together, and together, we are making a difference.
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