On March 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a restructuring plan that would eliminate the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Eliminating ACL will likely disrupt critical services that support the health and independence of our seniors and people with disabilities.

In Michigan, our 15 Centers for Independent Living are vital to those with disabilities, coordinating critical services like in-home care and medication management. The restructuring could also jeopardize programs that serve individuals with developmental disabilities, including Developmental Disability Councils, University Centers on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy networks, and State Independent Living Councils.

These programs empower individuals to lead more independent lives and contribute to their communities by supporting competitive, integrated employment and community living. This results in reducing the need for costly institutional care and prevents unnecessary emergency room visits.

We all want government-funded programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP to be efficient and effective. However, the proposed restructuring could dismantle important services that people with disabilities and older Americans rely on in their daily lives.

MiDDC believes Congress and all elected leaders should reconsider the restructuring plan and work on solutions that strengthen these programs while protecting taxpayers.

If you are interested, please share your thoughts with your elected officials. Use your lived experience and your personal story to let your lawmakers know how this change would affect your life.