ANCOR is the leading voice in Washington for providers of community-based intellectual and developmental disabilities services.
Alexandria, VA
Joined October 2008
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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
youtube.com/watch?v=edjfi9QP…
In highlighting The State of America's Direct Support Workforce Crisis, ANCOR's Barbara Merrill and Tom Rice share why underinvestment in disability services and the impact of pending Medicaid cuts are fueling the direct support workforce crisis in the latest from @McKHomeCare.
Disability service providers under pressure from staffing shortages, Medicaid cuts #homecare #homehealth #medicaid mcknightshomecare.com/news/d…
Thank you @RepDebDingell, @repbrianfitz, @repmgs, @RepMikeLawler, @RepLSimon, @congressmankean for introducing a resolution recognizing the Olmstead v. Lois Curtis decision & reaffirming the right of people with disabilities to live in their communities.
debbiedingell.house.gov/news…
In the latest from @disabilityscoop, ANCOR's Barbara Merrill & Tom Rice share why services for people with disabilities may appear to exist on paper, but will become impossible to access in practice if we don't combat the direct support workforce crisis now.
Disability service providers across the nation are turning away new referrals and scaling back programs. And, with massive funding cuts on the horizon, they see no relief in sight. #disabilities #Medicaid disabilityscoop.com/2026/10/…
Yesterday, ANCOR released 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).
“The most troubling finding in this year’s report is how little has changed," shared Barbara Merrill, ANCOR CEO.
Read more about the report in our press release ⬇️
ancor.org/resources/the-stat…
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 ⬇️
ancor.org/article/ancor-cond…
StoryCorps, in partnership with @librarycongress, invited two Direct Support Professionals from @experienceEPI, Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman and Danielle Knavel, to share their COVID-19 experiences as part of the COVID-19 American History Project.
archive.storycorps.org/inter…
Does your organization provide employment and/or day services to people with IDD?
Share your experience through the 2026 National CRP Survey. Your input will help inform research, policy, & practice.
Complete by Sept. 30: CRPSurvey.com
ANCOR is proud to join NHeLP, @public_rep & 68 organizations in filing an amicus brief in Massachusetts v. Oz, detailing how the Medicaid work requirements rule will threaten coverage for people with serious illnesses & disabilities.
ancor.org/article/people-wit…
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 of people with disabilities.
Read here: time.com/article/2026/08/11/…
ALT graphic with quote from article: 'The debate over how we invest in Medicaid cannot be separated from the debate over civil rights for people with disabilities.' -Barbara Merrill, ANCOR CEO & The Honorable Tony Coelho quote is overlayed on a background of a person in a mobility device raising a fist
ANCOR retweeted
Community care for a person with a disability: ~$70,500/yr. At institutions: $395,000+/yr.
When this administration calls home & community-based services "wasteful," they're wrong on the money and on the civil rights.
See Barbara Merrill, CEO @TheRealANCOR and I in @TIME
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill & @HonTonyCoelho share in @time why the foundation of our nation’s spectrum of community-based services is crumbling & how continued attacks risk the inclusion promised to people with disabilities through the ADA.
Please read ⬇️
time.com/article/2026/08/11/…
ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill & @HonTonyCoelho share in @time why the foundation of our nation’s spectrum of community-based services is crumbling & how continued attacks risk the inclusion promised to people with disabilities through the ADA.
Please read ⬇️
time.com/article/2026/08/11/…
ANCOR is proud to support the HCBS Access Act reintroduced by @SenatorLujan & @SenTimKaine. This bill will make needed investments into the Medicaid HCBS system and strengthen access to community-based services for people with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/pr…
Today, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee voted the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act unanimously out of committee.
Take action today & ask your members of Congress to support the direct support workforce!
ancor.org/actions/tell-congr…
In the latest from @washingtonpost and @danswu, Lydia Dawson, ANCOR Vice President of Government Relations, shares why we're concerned about the administration's commitment to community integration.
Read more ⬇️
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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. wapo.st/4fPhgUD
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 pass this bill. Take action & ask Congress to support the direct support workforce!
ancor.org/actions/tell-congr…
In @politico'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 ⬇️
politico.com/newsletters/wes…
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 ancor.org/connections/disabi…
ANCOR is proud to endorse the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act introduced by @Rep_McBride & @RepFrenchHill. This bill expands the Disabled Access Credit, giving small businesses more resources to make workplaces accessible for employees with disabilities.
Learn more ⬇️
