Little Lobbyists mom, Sam, and her daughter, Jo, pose with then-Senator Kamala Harris in a Senate office building corridor. Harris is crouched on her heels next to Jo’s medical stroller (and its various medical equipment), and is giving Jo a high-five. Sam is on the other side of Jo’s stroller, wearing a black sleeveless dress and smiling.

On Sunday, July 21, President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek re-election, and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to be the Democratic nominee. Little Lobbyists would like to express gratitude for all that the Biden Administration has done for our families–expanding Medicaid access, supporting the Affordable Care Act, working to increase funding for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and updating the Section 504 regulations for the Department of Health and Human Services.

With a new generation of leadership taking the reins, we’d like to highlight the work Kamala Harris has done on health care and Medicaid services. Harris has been a supporter of our families since our founding in 2017 when she listened to our children’s stories, shared them with the country, and helped stop congressional Republicans from dismantling the ACA. Her presence meant a lot, and she has been consistent in her support of our children’s rights to health care and Medicaid services ever since.

Reducing the Cost of Health Care

Harris is a strong supporter of the ACA, as well as Medicaid expansion. Both issues are critical to our families, many of whom are on waiting lists for the Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver services that keep medically complex and disabled children in their communities, where they belong. Keeping private health insurance affordable is critical. 

The next president will decide whether Americans get to keep the enhanced ACA subsidies that were part of the American Rescue Plan (and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act,) which resulted in an additional 6.3 million people who were able to access health insurance. The enhanced subsidies will expire at the end of 2025. 

Commitment to Home Care

The American Rescue Plan provided $37 billion in funding for states to improve HCBS. AS VP, Kamala Harris traveled the country, encouraging states to use funds to improve caregiver wages, subsidized housing, and other initiatives to shore up our nation’s care infrastructure. While the funds were seen as a “downpayment” on improving America’s home care system, they will also expire in 2025. 

Kamala Harris has shown real commitment to understanding the complexity and overwhelming need of our families to access care for our medically complex loved ones. Her 2021 listening tour included visiting the home of Little Lobbyists’ Jamie Davis Smith, mother to Claire. Of the Vice President, Jamie said she “was warm and engaging, and she seemed genuinely interested in how families like mine struggle.” 

Speaking on this issue last winter, Harris said, “every caregiver in our nation deserves fair pay, safe working conditions and respect. And every person in our nation deserves access to high-quality care, so they can live with safety, dignity and self determination.” She also supported the President’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, which authorized the administration to seek avenues for improving access to care. 

Then-Senator Harris speaks to Little Lobbyist Xiomara in an ornately paneled meeting room in the Capitol building. Xiomara regards her with interest. Xiomara’s mom, Elena, stands on the other side of Harris and is wearing a red dress.

Family Issues

A recent article in The 19th has dubbed her campaign “The Momala Economy,” after the nickname her stepchildren gave her years ago. Harris has championed a six-month paid family leave that would also include “chosen family.” As both Senator and Vice President, Harris has been a strong voice in favor of reproductive rights, paid family leave, elder and disability care, and other family-related issues. During her Senate career, she sponsored the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which would “help to create a standard that provides the respect, dignity, and recognition that all domestic workers deserve.” Most paid caregivers are women of color, who are paid little and struggle to care for their own families. 

Why does Harris understand caregivers so well? Kamala Harris was raised by a single mother, Shyamala Gopalan. When her mother became ill with cancer, Harris helped her remain in her own home until she passed away in 2009. Recent news stories suggest Harris will continue a focus on the care economy begun by President Biden. 

As the Harris campaign gathers steam, we hope to hear more specific policies and proposals on health care, caregiving, bodily autonomy, and disability. 

Carly (l) and Grant (r) at the beach, standing at the shoreline. Grant wears a black, silver and neon-green swim suit. Carly wears a gold t-shirt and black skirt.

We want YOU to be a Little Lobbyists voter! We’re down to the last big race of 2022, the Senate run-off in Georgia, but we’ll be gearing up soon enough for 2024. So take our pledge to vote for candidates who will protect and expand the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We have to elect more candidates to office who share our belief in equity, accessibility, and inclusion to remove barriers and advance the policies our families need.

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard and make our country – from County seat to the U.S. Capitol – the more just and inclusive place ALL our children deserve, but we can’t do it without your vote. 

Take the pledge to be a Little Lobbyists Voter.

Here’s a story about Carly and Grant, who live in Georgia:

I’m mom to Grant, a smiley and affectionate five-year-old. Grant loves to swing at the park, swim at the pool with his fellow Angelfish, and play in the waves at the beach. When he's not enjoying activities outdoors, Grant can be found doing the Hot Dog Dance with Mickey and Toodles from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, his absolute favorite show. Grant gives the best high fives, hugs, and fist bumps! 

Shortly after he was born, Grant was diagnosed with Total Intestinal Aganglionosis Hirschsprung’s Disease, a digestive disease that requires him to receive IV nutrition through a central line. He also has a g-tube and a jejunostomy. When he was two, Grant was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is nonspeaking–he communicates with picture exchange and will soon use an adaptive communication device.

Grant spent a total of 97 days in the NICU when he was born. Because Grant was on a continuous IV with a central line, we couldn’t go home from the hospital without in-home nursing lined up. Both my husband and I worked and would not be able to take care of Grant without a nurse. To get in-home nursing for Grant, we needed Georgia’s Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver. It took quite a bit of time and people to make it happen, but Grant was finally able to get the medical care he needed to go home.

Grant’s life was enhanced significantly thanks to Georgia’s Medicaid waiver coverage, and we are so grateful for the folks who helped us navigate a difficult process in a time of need.  But parents of medically complex children shouldn’t have to worry about how they are going to care for them when they come home.

That’s why we are Little Lobbyists voters and Health Care Voters who are excited to vote (again) for Senator Raphael Warnock in the runoff election. We need more leaders like Senator Warnock who will work to make sure caregivers of medically complex children are able to get the necessary care for their loved ones. Georgia is seeing more hospitals close their doors and many parts of the state without adequate numbers of healthcare providers. We need elected officials who will fight for kids like Grant to have the best care and the best lives.

Laura Leeman and her children. Vic is seated in his wheelchair, and the others are gathered around him. The family poses in a park area and a sign that reads, “Vote Here,” is behind them.

We want YOU to be a Little Lobbyists voter! Take our pledge to vote for candidates who will protect and expand the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We have to elect more candidates into office who share our belief in equity, accessibility, and inclusion to remove barriers and advance the policies our families need.

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard and make our country – from County seat to the U.S. Capitol – the more just and inclusive place ALL our children deserve, but we can’t do it without your vote. 

Take the pledge to be a Little Lobbyists Voter.

As we lead up to the election next week, we will be sharing a few personal stories here about why folks are taking the Little Lobbyists Voter Pledge and who they are supporting with their vote. 

As we lead up to the election next week, we will be sharing a few personal stories here about why folks are taking the Little Lobbyists Voter Pledge and who they are supporting with their vote.

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My son Victor’s infectious laugh brings smiles to anyone near him. He loves all types of music and being outdoors, especially at the beach where he used to feel the wind on his face. Vic’s uncontrolled seizures went largely undiagnosed until last year, when he was found to have a rare genetic syndrome linked to epilepsy. While we’ve learned more about Victor’s medical health, having a genetic diagnosis does not give us a complete picture of the reason for his many seizures. 

This election is the most urgent and important one of our lifetime!  We’re hearing a lot about state and federal candidates, but make no mistake: the future of public education is on every ballot across the country. In every state and every public school district, our kids' right to a free and appropriate public education will be decided in this election.

I know this because my school district in Texas is the epicenter of this national effort to dismantle public education. Extremists are laser focused on full control of public education and are pouring money into candidates for local school boards. This takeover will bleed public school funds in numerous ways, and these extremists do not care about my or your disabled and medically complex child’s right to a free and appropriate education. 

Join Little Lobbyists as we advocate for all students to have access to all necessary supports and accommodations in an inclusive environment to attain their full potential.  We oppose tax funding being allocated to schools that discriminate against children with complex medical needs and disabilities of any kind. 

Connect with trusted voices in your community & VOTE for local school board candidates who are in favor of public education.

Gabbie (l) holds up two fingers in a peace sign. She has dark hair and wears a red jacket. Sarah (r) holds the camera for the selfie and wears over-sized sunglasses. They are on a sidewalk in a shopping area.

We want YOU to be a Little Lobbyists voter! Take our pledge to vote for candidates who will protect and expand the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We have to elect more candidates into office who share our belief in equity, accessibility, and inclusion to remove barriers and advance the policies our families need.

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard and make our country – from County seat to the U.S. Capitol – the more just and inclusive place ALL our children deserve, but we can’t do it without your vote. 

Take the pledge to be a Little Lobbyists Voter.

As we lead up to the election next week, we will be sharing a few personal stories here about why folks are taking the Little Lobbyists Voter Pledge and who they are supporting with their vote. 

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Sarah May-Seward, a Little Lobbyists mom in Michigan, has taken her Voter Pledge to the next level. Instead of voting for other candidates, Sarah is running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 51, so she is voting for herself! According to her the choice to run was an easy one:

"It's a natural thing to do. Moms see needs or problems, figure out why they exist, then work to fix them. Moms of kids with complex medical needs and disabilities know how to get creative to address issues and keep our kids safe."

Sarah is Gabbie’s mom. Gabbie is an amazing 18-year-old who has participated in school walkouts, the Women's March, and March For Our Lives. She has also become very vocal about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gabbie has multiple medical diagnoses, including cerebral palsy and a birth anomaly that affects her brain. These are the result of a traumatic emergency that occurred during an ER visit when she was only 4.5 months old.

Gabbie depends on Medicaid to fund the services and supports that allow her to live an independent life in her community. And community is what it’s all about as far as Sarah and Gabbie are concerned. As Sarah said:

"I’m running because this is the community that raised me. When I was a kid without enough to eat, when our home burned down, when my adoptive parents weren’t safe for me, this community stepped up. It’s my turn to step up for them. I’m running because as a bartender and as a mom to a kid with disabilities, I don’t shy away from service, and hard work, and I certainly don’t turn my back when it comes to fighting to protect the people I serve."

As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, Sarah will help ensure that all Michiganders have access to the health care, education, and community inclusion they need to not just survive – but THRIVE.

The Witzler Family enjoying a hike along a riverbank. Peter (l) wears a yellow shirt and baseball hat. Jackson, who wears jet-fighter-style sunglasses and is making a peace sign, is strapped to Peter’s back in a child carrier. Lisa, Jackson’s mom (foreground), wears a pink shirt and sunglasses. Jackson’s brother Teddy is in the background, wearing a blue shirt and looking into the river.

We want YOU to be a Little Lobbyists voter! Take our pledge to vote for candidates who will protect and expand the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We have to elect more candidates into office who share our belief in equity, accessibility, and inclusion to remove barriers and advance the policies our families need.

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard and make our country – from County seat to the U.S. Capitol – the more just and inclusive place ALL our children deserve, but we can’t do it without your vote. 

Take the pledge to be a Little Lobbyists Voter.

As we lead up to the election, we are sharing a few personal stories about why folks are taking the Little Lobbyists Voter Pledge and who they are supporting with their vote. 

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My son Jackson is an amazingly funny, strong-willed, independent 7 year old who loves Legos and playing Nintendo with his big brother Teddy. He just started playing sled hockey and according to his coaches is a real natural, quickly learning how to skate, pass and shoot at his first practice. Jackson was born with Spina Bifida. He uses braces and a walker or wheelchair to get around, and uses a machine to make sure he keeps breathing at night. During his first six months of life, he endured three brain surgeries, spending more time in the hospital than home with his family, and racking up over a million dollars in medical bills. 

As Jackson now grows into a healthy, strong young man, he’s going to depend on Maryland's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and other supports to live independently, life-long, in his community. Unfortunately these services are massively underfunded. In Maryland, there are 31,000 people on HCBS waiting lists; nationwide, 820,000 people are waiting for services. 

That’s why I’m a Little Lobbyists Voter who is pledging my vote to candidates who will work to ensure every child like Jackson in Maryland will have access to the health care, education, and community inclusion they need to not just survive – but THRIVE.

That's why I am thrilled to be voting for Wes Moore and Aruna Miller for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. As a parent of a kid with complex medical needs and disabilities, it sometimes feels like we are all alone in our struggles. Wes Moore’s message, “Leave No One Behind,” really resonates with me. 

I know with Wes Moore and Aruna Miller at the lead, our state agencies will be working hard to get those 31,000 Marylanders off waiting lists and into their communities, where they belong. I know that we’ll have willing partners and allies to improve and expand services. I know that Wes and Aruna will not leave families like ours behind to fend for themselves. 

Peter Witzler (r) poses with Wes Moore (c) and another man (l) at a political event. All three men are wearing suit jackets and ties. They are standing in a conference room with a banquet table to the left.

Becki & Izzy Ucello pose on a sidewalk. Becki is wearing glasses—both have long blonde hair. Becki wears a t-shirt that says “embrace,” and Izzy wears a t-shirt that says, “Inclusion Everywhere.”

We want YOU to be a Little Lobbyists voter! Take our pledge to vote for candidates who will protect and expand the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We have to elect more candidates into office who share our belief in equity, accessibility, and inclusion to remove barriers and advance the policies our families need.

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard and make our country – from County seat to the U.S. Capitol – the more just and inclusive place ALL our children deserve, but we can’t do it without your vote. 

Take the pledge to be a Little Lobbyists Voter.

As we lead up to the election next week, we will be sharing a few personal stories here about why folks are taking the Little Lobbyists Voter Pledge and who they are supporting with their vote. 

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My daughter Izabella is a beautiful, happy girl who just celebrated becoming a teenager.  She is kind and compassionate. She loves to bake cupcakes, and she loves to create art. Izabella also connects with people about the importance of inclusion and accessibility. As a wheelchair user, it is important for her to find places where she can enjoy socializing with her friends, whether it is at school, at church, or anywhere else in our community.

Izzy Ucello and her dad. Izzy’s dad is holding a sign that reads, “St. Agnes Father & Daughter Dance 2022.” He wears a cream shirt under a blue & white checked suit jacket covered with red and orange flowers. Izzy wears a gold lame gown. Behind them are gold streamers and red & gold balloons.

Izabella was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which means she had a hole in her spinal cord and swelling in her brain. Within just 24 hours of being born, she had her first two surgeries: one to close up her spinal cord, and another to place a shunt to correct the hydrocephalus. With continual access to excellent healthcare and a supportive community of friends and family, Izabella survived and continues to thrive!  

Missouri voters have been focused on the current Senate race. I believe that Trudy Busch Valentine is the candidate who will put the interests of Missouri over political partisanship. She looks for common ground among Missourians.  Most important to me, the mom of a medically complex child, is the fact that Trudy Busch Valentine is a mother and a nurse. She understands the importance of quality healthcare for our children. In the U.S. Senate, Trudy will protect health care coverage for Missourians, cut the cost of prescription drugs, and hold big insurance and pharmaceutical companies accountable for raising costs. She will also fight attempts to remove protections for insurance coverage for people with preexisting conditions. Trudy believes that good health care is more than just the care of our physical bodies; we need to invest in mental health services so Americans can flourish and lead productive, healthy lives. 

I’ll also be voting for Kristen Radaker Scheafer, who is running for Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. In addition to gun safety measures, Kristen supports increasing access to mental healthcare. From personal experience, I can say that Kristen listens to her future constituents.  She cares about what we have to say about healthcare and education.  She is about representing ALL of us.  “My purpose is to take the voice of the people of Missouri’s 7th district to Washington, not to bring a partisan voice from Washington back to Missouri,” she says.  

On November 8, I will gladly vote for Trudy Valentine for U.S. Senate and for Kristen Scheafer for the U.S. House of Representatives.