Seth Moulton

05/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2025 07:58

Moulton, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, and Morelle Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Healthcare for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Today, Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Joseph Morelle (D-NY) introduced the Healthcare Extension and Accessibility for Developmentally Disabled and Underserved Population (HEADs UP) Actof 2025.

The HEADs UP Act would designate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as a Medically Underserved Population, opening up many government programs aimed at improving access to care and reducing health disparities.

Compared to the nondisabled population, people with I/DD receive fewer preventative screenings and fewer dental hygiene services. They have higher rates of undiagnosed hearing and vision impairments, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. They are more likely to have unmanaged or poorly managed chronic health conditions, and they have a shorter life expectancy than the general population. A primary culprit is the serious shortage of medical and dental providers able or willing to treat them.

The HEADs UP Act tackles this issue through the use of the Medically Underserved Population designation. This designation was created with the passage of the Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1996, and today applies to many Americans living in lower-income communities across the country, as well as to people experiencing homelessness, seasonal and migrant agricultural workers, and residents of public housing.

Despite years of advocacy and clear evidence that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are underserved, Congress has failed to provide them with this legal designation.

"There are clear cracks in America's healthcare system, and one example is the way we treat those among us who require the most complex care," said Congressman Moulton. "Citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve quality treatment just like everyone else, and America has an obligation to provide that. We've come so far, but there is still more ground to cover. With this bill, we can expand healthcare resources to make them more available to these Americans. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to get this passed into law."

"Millions of Americans living with intellectual and developmental disabilities are too often left behind by a healthcare system that fails to meet their unique needs," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I'm committed to changing that. Our bipartisan HEADs UP Act is a long-overdue step to ensure individuals with I/DD are finally recognized as a medically underserved population, opening the door to expanded care, stronger support, and the opportunity to live healthier, more independent lives."

"All Americans should have access to health care that meets their personal needs and specific medical situation, but individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who have complex needs often face barriers to receiving adequate specialized care," said Congresswoman Dingell. "As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I am committed to ensuring Americans with disabilities don't get left behind or slip through the cracks in our healthcare system. The HEADs UP Act will expand access to resources for the IDD community to make it easier to get the support and care they deserve."

"As the number of families impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities continues to rise, we must continue our commitment to providing the support they need to reach their full potential," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "I'm proud to support this legislation to secure better care and help our most vulnerable community members, who have gone underserved for too long. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to pass this bipartisan legislation and help ensure those with different abilities can lead happy, healthy lives."

Federal programs opened up by this "MUP" designation include:

  • The ability for Community Health Centers to apply for grant funding to serve people with I/DD;
  • Access to medical school tuition aid programs for providers focusing on this population;
  • Eligibility for J-1 visa waivers, allowing international medical students to continue working in the U.S. immediately following residency if serving this population; and
  • Grants for continuing education so providers can learn how to better treat people with I/DD.

The HEADs UP Act is supported by many medical and disability-focused organizations, including: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Families USA, Mass General Brigham, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Achieva Disability Healthcare Initiative, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), Autism Speaks, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Community Catalyst, Consortium of Constituents with Disabilities, FRAXA Research Foundation, Institute for Exceptional Care, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA), NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy & Management, Project Accessible Oral Health, American Music Therapy Association, Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England

Seth Moulton published this content on May 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 15, 2025 at 13:58 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io