G-2403-20278

Achieva, through their Disability Health Initiative (DHI), leads efforts to increase physical and programmatic access to care for individuals with disabilities and their families and they also promote medical workforce development and education. Achieva’s Disability Health Initiative is led by one staff member and engages a group of disability self-advocates in their strategy setting for advocacy activities.

Achieva has been a funded partner of CareQuest Institute since 2015 within the Grassroots Engagement Initiative, with historical work to restore Adult Dental Benefits in Medicaid in PA. Over the past three years, Achieva has worked to designate those with disabilities as a Medically Underserved Population (MUP) at the state and federal policy levels. Successfully securing approval for an expanded MUP definition and designation would unlock additional federal funding for initiatives to increase access to primary, behavioral, and oral health care. This also means there would be increased funding allocated for incentive payments, research, and loan repayment funding for health professionals who work with those included in this population. Among its many opportunities, the proposed designation advocacy would also support flexible immigration options for health professionals treating the MUP.

In 2024, Achieva’s DHI is advocating to HRSA to update rules that currently make it challenging to meaningfully identify and support communities that identify as MUPs. To advance these advocacy efforts, DHI is prioritizing the following activities in its proposed project:

Amplification and centering of health disparities experienced and voiced by the disability community to build its confidence and power to advocate for change.

Coalition building focused on bringing national health and disability organizations important information about the current HRSA rules and opportunities for collaborative advocacy and learning.

Direct advocacy with Capitol representatives and policymakers to address HRSA’s limited definition of a MUP and honor Governor Shapiro’s (PA) request to recognize Pennsylvanians with disabilities as a MUP.

The requested amount for this proposal is $149,740, which represents 0.3% of Achieva’s overall organizational budget. Approximately $114,000 of the budget for this proposal is allocated toward personnel. Travel costs nationally and within the state for MUP-related meetings account for $15,000 of the budget. Smaller budget line items are for occupancy expenses, travel funds to support a self-advocate to participate, and staff development expenses.