Overview

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) need universal access to high quality, affordable health care. While progress has been made, there is more work to be done to improve health care for people with I/DD. We must continue our fight to protect and expand access to health care.

You can learn more about The Arc’s position on health care by reading our position statement.

Two nurses, one in the foreground and one in the background, smile at a person who has their back turned to the camera

Why It Matters

For decades, people with I/DD have been left behind in our nation’s health care system. People with disabilities face discrimination and barriers to accessing affordable and quality health care. People with I/DD are also more likely to live in poverty and cannot afford cost-sharing. Even when services are available in a community, many people with I/DD lack adequate public or private insurance to pay for them.

With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), significant progress was made toward accomplishing our nation’s goal of universal access to high-quality, affordable health care for all people with disabilities. The ACA includes historic coverage expansions; nondiscrimination and health insurance reforms; strengthened prevention provisions; numerous enhancements to Medicare and Medicaid; and other provisions that significantly benefit people with disabilities.

Man in hospital gown standing with the help of a walker

What The Arc Is Doing

The Arc supports access to affordable, comprehensive public and private health insurance. We work to broaden access to health care coverage in several ways.

Our Policy Goals
The Arc’s Public Policy Goals include many recommendations on how to achieve universal access to high-quality, affordable health care.

Our Coalition Work
The CCD Health Task Force, which The Arc co-chairs, works with Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain the comprehensive health care reforms achieved in the passage of the ACA, like pre-existing condition protections. We will work to advance the policy agenda that was not addressed by the ACA or only partially addressed, as well as protect the ACA from repeal efforts as they arise.

Doctor talking to older woman during medical visit

The Affordable Care Act Private Marketplace

One major part of the ACA, the Private Marketplace, began offering health insurance in every state on October 1, 2013. HealthCare.gov provides information on coverage options in each state and shows which private insurance plans, public programs, and community services are available to individuals.

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