Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support the HEADs UP Act to designate individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Medically Underserved Population.

The Details:

The HEADs UP Act would define people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as a Medically Underserved Population (MUP). This designation currently applies to groups such as people experiencing homelessness and residents of public housing.

By designating people with I/DD as a medically underserved population, the HEADs UP Act would unlock a range of existing federal resources and incentives that attract, retain, and upskill healthcare professionals. This broader support would expand access and improve outcomes for individuals with I/DD—without creating new mandates or entitlements.

This targeted intervention is essential to improving the health outcomes of people with I/DD, who currently face poorer health, limited provider options, and shorter life expectancy. Congress has the opportunity to help address this gap.