CRI Joins Statewide Call to Ensure Medicaid Changes Are Made with Community Voices at the Table
In response to the sweeping Medicaid cuts in the newly passed H.R. 1—also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—Community Resources for Independence (CRI) has joined Disability Rights Pennsylvania and other advocacy organizations in urging the Shapiro administration to take swift, collaborative action.
These federal reductions are expected to significantly impact Pennsylvanians with disabilities, their families, and the direct-care workforce who support them. Recognizing this, CRI and its partners are calling for the immediate formation of a stakeholder work group. This group would include self-advocates, Medicaid recipients, providers, and other key voices to help guide the Commonwealth’s response to the funding cuts.
“CRI hopes to be part of this stakeholder group—advocating for benefits, funding, and legislation that support not only those we serve, but also the dedicated staff who serve them,” said Carl Berry, Executive Director of CRI.
The proposed work group would aim to:
Promote transparency and data sharing across agencies.
Publicly share Medicaid enrollment, utilization, and underutilization data.
Encourage public comment on any proposed service changes.
With the federal legislation poised to reshape essential services, CRI believes it’s critical that those most affected help shape the path forward.
You can read the full letter submitted to Governor Josh Shapiro and DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh here.