Take Action

Urge Congress to continue the Money Follows the Person Program!

January 30, 2018

The future of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is at risk.  Enacted in 2005, the MFP program is one of the longest running, most successful Medicaid demonstrations.  MFP has assisted more than 75,000 long-term care consumers with moving into a setting of their choice, and has helped 44 states improve access to home and community-based services.  In addition, the MFP program provides an important quality framework and data collection and reporting requirements to build a solid state HCBS infrastructure.

MFP improves the lives of long-term care consumers and does so in a more cost-effective way than other settings.  MFP is a program where everyone wins: individuals regain their independence, and state and federal governments save money because it costs less to provide services and supports in the community rather than in an institution.  That's why nearly every state has participated in the program!

Independent evaluations have proven MFP improves the quality of life for individuals, and reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. Unfortunately, MFP expired September 30, 2016, and states are running out of funding.  For more information on the MFP program, please click here.

As a result, states are scaling back their programs, reducing dedicated staff and crucial resources. Last year was the first time that the number of people transitioned to the community declined. Without action NOW, the program will lose progress.

Senators Portman (R-OH) and Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced bipartisan legislation (EMPOWER Care Act - S. 2227) to improve and extend the program for five years.  For more information on the EMPOWER Care Act, please click here.

Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the bill!  Take action by following the steps and talking points below:

1. Action #1: National Call-In Day, Thursday February 1, 2018

   • ​Call Your Senators: Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask to be connected to your Senators.  Ask your Senator to co-sponsors the EMPOWER Care Act S. 2227 to extend the MFP program and pass it immediately (see talking points below).

   • RSVP to this Facebook event, which contains information on how to call your Senators.  View Center for Public Representation's page for more information on the call-in day.

2. Action #2: National Social Media Day, Friday February 2, 2018

   • Tweet and Post on Facebook:

     • ​Tag Senators' Twitter handles.  Find handles here: https://twitter.com/cspan/lists/senators/members.

     • Target the Senate Finance Committee members. You can find members on this committee by clicking https://www.finance.senate.gov/about/membership.

     • Use hashtag #FundMFP in your posts and tweets.  Download sample social media content here, and download graphics here.

     • RSVP to this Facebook event, which will house information on the many ways to communicate with Senators about this issue on social media.  View Center for Public Representation's page for more information on the social media day.

3. Action #3: Email Your Senators before February 8, 2018

   • Click here to send a pre-crafted email to your Senators.  You're invited to personalize your message if you wish. 

   • Be sure to tell Congress to consider MFP during negotiations on the budget and other extensions of health-related programs in the coming weeks.  An extension of the MFP program must be included. 

4. Talking Points

   • ​​The Money Follows the Person Program brings long-term care consumers back home to their communities.

   • The Money Follows the Person program gives consumers greater control over the lives.

   • It’s fiscally responsible! MFP improves the quality of life of individuals while saving states and the federal government Medicaid funding.

   • The program expired over a year ago. Without additional funding, states could scale back programs, potentially withdrawing long-term care services from people who need it.

   • Talk about why this is important for you or someone you know, and your state. MFP frees people! MFP keeps families together! MFP reduces waiting lists! 

Questions?  Contact us at info@theconsumervoice.org.