From the JFA Moderator:
AAPD CEO, Andy Imparato; NCIL Executive Director,
Kelly Buckland; and Sentor Harkin talk at the NCIL Rally
Capitol Hill was abuzz on Monday as people with disabilities from all 50 states and 10 territories converged in the heat of the day to demand inclusion in Health Care Reform. Estimates vary from 350 to nearly 1,000 on exactly how many people were present, but what is for sure is that energy was high throughout both the NCIL Rally and Congressional briefing. With Senator Harkin pledging not to support health reform legislation that fails to address the longterm needs Americans with Disabilities. He also reported out about a conversation he had with President Obama where the President recalled his Senatorial support of the Community Choice Act (CCA).
This is good news since, as Andy Imparato, AAPD CEO, reminded the cheering crowds, the President has recently reasserted his role in the developing Health Care Reform (for more see the New York Times Article "Taking the Hill" by Matt Bai). Imparato called on those present to hold President Obama accountable for his campaign promise to support CCA, one that distinguished him from his opponent, John McCain, and garnered him significant support. However, Imparato also applauded President Obama for nominating Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court stating that she has the potential to be the champion that the disabiltiy community needs. The CLASS Act also got a lot of play throughout the day as legislators and disability rights activists alike trumpeted it as the long term solution to the long term services and supports crisis.
From CQ Healthbeat
Harkin Vows Health Overhaul Will Include Community Choice Act
By Jane Norman, Associate Editor
Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said Monday he is working to get Medicaid changes included in the health overhaul that would provide broad long-term care services to people with disabilities outside nursing homes and that he wont back down.
Harkin, following a speech heavily attended by disability rights advocates, said he has met with health leaders in the House and Senate about his bill, the so-called Community Choice Act (S 683), which would allow Medicaid coverage for activities of daily living in the home such as eating, bathing and toileting. Harkin said he requested his only one-on-one meeting with President Obama since the president took office to ask that the Community Choice Act not be forgotten as the health overhaul moves along.
He said he made his pitch to both Obama and Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform. I dont see how I could support a bill that didn't have the Community Choice Act in it, Harkin, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in an interview. The author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he also is a senior member of the committee who has headed up a task force working on prevention measures to be included in the health overhaul.
Harkin added: I will do everything in my power to get this included. I don't mince words on this. I will do everything I can as a senator both on the positive side and if I have to, on the negative side, to get this done...
...The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities said an estimated 10 million Americans currently need long-term services and the number will grow as the population ages, to a projected 26 million by 2050. The consortium said it backs Harkins legislation as well as legislation (S 697) introduced by HELP Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., which would set up a voluntary national insurance program to provide non-medical benefits to people who become severely disabled. All workers would be enrolled unless they choose to opt out. Kennedy's legislation is included in a draft health overhaul bill...
He told the disability rights advocates that even with passage of the ADA and subsequent court decisions affirming it, people with disabilities on Medicaid are still being forced into nursing homes, and he has spoken to all the big players on health legislation seeking inclusion of his bill in the overhaul.
As far as I am concerned, there is no health reform without the Community Choice Act, he told the cheering crowd.
Senator Harkin and Representative Davis,
this is excellent news. I have contacted both my senators and representative and hoping with all my heart that the CCA is passed. Without it there is no true Health Care Reform. As Former Senator Dean put it...We need 'real' reform, not fake reform by insurance companies, and not reform that will take place 'later'. We need real reform NOW. The Community Choice Act 'is' real reform.
Posted by: Deb Ham | June 11, 2009 at 02:55 AM
We have worked tirelessly for more than 12 years on MiCASA, MiCASSA, and the Community Choice Act and we are not about to give up now. Like Senator Harkin we will do everything we can on the postive side or as necessary ADAPT style until this legislation becomes law.
Rick Knight
Southeast Kansas ADAPT
rickk@skilonline.com
Posted by: Rick Knight | June 12, 2009 at 06:54 AM