Defending Medicaid and Medicare: Advancing Comprehensive Healthcare for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Aug 15

Posted by WITH Foundation on July 29, 2025

WITH Foundation issues RFP to defend Medicaid, Medicare to advance health care for adults with developmental disabilities

The mission of WITH Foundation is to promote the establishment of comprehensive health care for adults with developmental disabilities that is designed to address their unique and fundamental needs.

The foundation has issued a request for proposals for Defending Medicaid and Medicare: Advancing Comprehensive Healthcare for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

According to the foundation, Medicaid and Medicare supports are cornerstones of the U.S. healthcare system, providing essential supports that ensure millions of Americans—particularly people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)—receive the care they need. For many adults with I/DD, these supports are not supplemental; they are foundational lifelines that support community-based services, home- and community-based care, primary care, specialist access, and other critical supports that enable people to live with dignity and self-determination. Yet, Medicaid and Medicare face persistent threats at the federal, state, and local levels. This RFP is grounded in the recognition that defending Medicaid and Medicare is an act of disability justice. This is an opportunity to fortify the systems that enable people with I/DD to survive and thrive.

Through this RFP, grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded in support of proposals for one-year projects that defend, strengthen, and expand Medicaid and Medicare supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This RFP invites collaborative proposals that protect, strengthen, and expand Medicaid and Medicare while advancing inclusive, comprehensive health care for adults with I/DD. Proposals should prioritize one of the following approaches:

Policy advocacy: Efforts to defend and expand access to Medicaid and Medicare supports at the local, state, or national level.

Resource and tool development: Creation of educational materials and tools for medical professionals, self-advocates, and their families to better understand, advocate, and/or effectively use Medicaid and Medicare supports.

Community-driven organizing: Initiatives that elevate the perspectives and leadership of adults with I/DD in healthcare policy and systems-change efforts, especially in (but not limited to) rural geographical areas.

Applied research and data strategies: Research and data strategies aimed at identifying gaps, evaluating outcomes, and supporting the access and expansion of Medicaid and Medicare supports for adults with I/DD.

A secondary goal of this RFP is to foster new partnerships or significantly enhance existing collaborations between disability organizations, advocates, community organizations, and healthcare providers. Applications from all interested parties are encouraged, especially those led by people most impacted by ableism and other systems of oppression.

Applicants may self-select their geographic focus, which must be within the United States. A total of up to $700,000 in grant funding is expected to be awarded through this RFP.

Section 501(c)(3) public charities, such as healthcare, community, and/or disability organizations, are eligible to apply. Proposals submitted as a collaborative project or partnerships among multiple entities are welcome.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the WITH Foundation website.

Deadline: August 15, 2025 at 4:59 p.m. PT