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Communication Bulletin 00-25-05 was published and shared last week. The purpose of the bulletin was to establish the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP’s) policy on communication and assure all individuals have an effective way to communicate.

To further provide access to the bulletin, ODP has shared another version of the bulletin in easier-to-understand terms and with pictures. This version will be available on MyODP as an attachment to the original bulletin communication released on December 1, 2025.

The following bulletins below are no longer in use:

  • Office of Developmental Programs 00-14-04, Accessibility of Intellectual Disability Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf
  • Office of Developmental Programs 00-08-18, Communication Supports and Services

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 025-109 to provide clarification about the completion of the MA 51 or medical evaluation discussed in previous bulletin 00-25-02, along with a revised attachment.

Attachment:

The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that individuals are accessing healthcare at least once every three years. In practice, this will primarily affect those who are not receiving residential services, since residential licensing regulations already require annual physicals.

Please review the announcement for details.

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For Immediate Release
December 10, 2025
Media Contact: Casey-Lee Waldron

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) released the following statement after filing a discharge petition to bring his Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act directly to the House floor for a vote, ensuring Congress takes action to prevent devastating health insurance premium increases when current protections expire at the end of the year:

“Congress cannot sit idle while American families face a preventable crisis. Our job is to protect the people we serve, and that responsibility demands immediate action.

If these protections expire, millions of Americans will be hit with premium increases they simply cannot afford, forcing impossible choices about their health, their finances, and their futures. They deserve a concrete solution now—not promises of one later.

For months, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats in both chambers, along with input from the Administration, to build a bipartisan solution that can actually pass—not a political messaging exercise. This bill delivers the urgent help families need now, while giving Congress the runway to keep improving our healthcare system for the long term. Responsible governance means securing 80 percent of what families need today, rather than risking 100 percent of nothing tomorrow.

Filing this discharge petition ensures the House will have the opportunity—and obligation—to vote. Every member must decide whom they serve: the people, or the politics. We can prevent this—and we must. If 217 of my colleagues are willing to join me in putting constituents first, we can protect working- and middle-class families from a catastrophic crisis.

Our neighbors are counting on us. I’m calling on my colleagues to sign this petition, bring this two-party solution to the floor, and deliver the security and certainty American families deserve.”

About the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act:

Fitzpatrick (PA-01) was joined by Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) to introduce the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act, a two-party, targeted solution to prevent a sharp jump in healthcare costs as current protections expire and ensure millions of Americans can maintain affordable coverage.

Without immediate congressional action, the scheduled expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits would result in steep, sudden cost increases and widespread loss of coverage—destabilizing the healthcare markets working families rely upon.

Key Provisions of the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act

The legislation advances five reforms designed to protect affordability, strengthen accountability, and ensure taxpayer value:

  • Prevents Premium Spikes: Extends enhanced premium tax credits through 2027, to protect families from abrupt monthly cost increases.
  • Restores Consumer Control: Stops unauthorized plan and subsidy changes by requiring consent and prompt notification before any modifications take effect.
  • Shines Light on Middlemen: Ends hidden spread pricing, severs PBM profits from drug prices, and requires full rebate pass-through to ensure savings reach patients.
  • Gives Families New Tools to Manage Costs: Expands access to Health Savings Accounts and simplifies premium payments to reduce disruptions in coverage.
  • Smart Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars: Modernizes eligibility and introduces a reasonable minimum contribution to protect long-term affordability and responsible stewardship of federal dollars.

Read the full bill text here.

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RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that are held throughout the year.

Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
  • Discuss the 2026 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
  • Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
  • View the RCPA member-only website;
  • Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
  • Understand the value of the National Council and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.

Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.

On November 12, 2025, the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget was signed into law, removing travel restrictions. As a result, OLTL will resume holding hybrid LTSS Subcommittee meetingsThe meetings scheduled for April 2026 – June 2026, which were changed to webinar and remote streaming only earlier this year, are now scheduled to be held as both in-person and webinar with remote streaming.

Since the travel ban has been lifted, reimbursement for Subcommittee members’ travel expenses may be submitted with an itemized receipt for review.

The Office of Long-Term Living appreciates your understanding and flexibility.

Please share this message with staff, participants, and any other interested parties.

If you have questions about the LTSS Subcommittee Meetings, please send them electronically.