Federal Policy Update from the GCDD Public Policy Director

Update as of June 13, 2025

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) continues to track federal policies that may significantly impact Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Over the past few weeks, critical discussions have been unfolding in Washington, D.C. These talks could change Medicaid and the future of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network.

Earlier this month, I traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside Ariel Edwards, GCDD’s Program and Policy Specialist, and Tais Keyser, a GCDD Council member and family advocate. Our goal was to bring Georgia’s perspective directly to members of Congress and their staff. We spoke with lawmakers about two key priorities: protecting Medicaid—particularly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—and preserving the federal DD Network. In Georgia the DD Network includes GCDD, the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University (GSU), and the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) at the University of Georgia (UGA).

Our visit came at an important time. Congress is currently considering House Resolution (H.R.) 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This large piece of legislation is going through markups in the Senate. A revised version of the legislation is likely to return to the House of Representatives in the coming weeks. While the bill addresses many different policy areas, our focus is on updates that would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $7.93 billion over the next ten years.

These proposed cuts raise serious concerns. If passed, H.R. 1 could shift more Medicaid costs to states and reduce federal review. This is particularly dangerous for programs like HCBS. HCBS are classified as optional under federal Medicaid law. In Georgia, these services are delivered through the NOW and COMP waiver programs and are vital for thousands of individuals with I/DD. When federal funding was cut during the Great Recession, every state—including Georgia—reduced HCBS spending. We cannot let history repeat itself, as more than 8,000 people in Georgia are still waiting for these services.

Despite the challenges ahead, there is reason for hope. Lawmakers and staff have told us they’re hearing from Georgians—and that your voices are making a difference. Your stories about what Medicaid and the DD Network mean in your life are helping lawmakers understand the human impact of these decisions.

Now is the time to keep up the momentum. If you support funding Medicaid, including HCBS, and a strong, independent DD Network, we encourage you to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Tell them that people with disabilities have the right to live, work, and thrive in their communities—not in institutions.

We’ll continue to watch progress from Washington and share updates with you. Thank you for your ongoing advocacy, partnership, and commitment to building a more inclusive Georgia.