AMTA Government Relations Update 4-5-2025
First quarter summary of AMTA's advocacy activities related to the 177 presidential actions since the January 20th Inauguration, DOGE and the evolving impact on American's health and safety. What's been happening and what you can do.
DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE:
Since the Inauguration on January 20th, the administration has issued 177 different presidential actions, including Executive Orders, Memoranda, Nominations, and Proclamations. In addition, the President’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has eliminated jobs across all federal agencies, without review of negative impacts to Americans’ health and safety and the increased national costs incurred as a result. Many of these actions pose significant threats to our community of music therapy clients, clinicians, and students from various policy perspectives.
Issues include:
- Demanding drastic budget cuts, including Medicaid funding
- Closing the U.S. Department of Education
- Dismantling the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Cutting research funding
- Eliminating DEI protections
- Restricting access to medically necessary care
WHAT ADVOCACY HAS OCCURRED:
AMTA continues to participate in multiple coalitions focused on health, education, disabilities, research, Medicaid, Veterans, and the arts. All of the organizations within these coalitions work together to educate the Administration, members of Congress, and federal agency officials about the importance of continued access to quality services for American citizens. Included in this week’s update are some of the “sign-on letters” that AMTA has joined, which is the process of advocating together, and amplifying our collective voices to relay a common message to decision-makers.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Call or email your members of Congress at least once a week (more often if you can). Urge them to responsibly represent their constituents by addressing the following issues and share one quick story of how proposed cuts and changes will negatively impact the constituents in their state/district.
- ADHERE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IN ALL ACTIONS: Support equal and civil rights for all citizens and demand the balance of powers within the three branches of the federal government. As stated on the U.S. House of Representatives website: “To ensure the government is effective and citizens’ rights are protected, each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, including working with the other branches.”
- NO CUTS TO MEDICAID in on-going budget discussions this year!
- DO NOT CLOSE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: State and local education agencies need the support and guidance of this vital federal agency
- PROTECT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Keep IDEA oversight under the Department of Education. Do not move IDEA to HHS.
- DO NOT SUPPORT THE DISMANTLING OF HHS: Keep the Administration of Community Living intact so that older adults and individuals with disabilities have access to quality care and cost-efficient independent living
opportunities.
SIGN-ON LETTERS:
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