A Health Care Bill

From the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC): A letter to Congress in support of the Community Choice Act (S.683/H.R.1670) as introduced by Senators Tom Harkin (IA) and ArlenSpecter (PA) and Representative Danny Davis (IL). This legislation promotes independence with dignity and allows individuals who receive long-term services through Medicaid to have a choice in where, how and from whom they receive personal assistance. Organizations can sign by sending an e-mail to Ginny Thornburgh, GThornburgh@aapd.com (American Association of Persons with Disabilities). The letter can be sent by individuals or communities.

A sample letter follows, so if you wish to cut and paste this into your e-mail, feel free.

Dear Member of Congress:
As members of eligious and religiously-affiliated organizations, we write in strong support of the Community Choice Act (S. 683/H.R. 1670), as introduced by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Representative Danny Davis (D-IL). As efforts to reform health care move forward, we urge you to support this legislation which promotes independence with dignity and allows individuals who receive long-term services through Medicaid to have a choice in where, how and from whom they receive personal assistance.

The Community Choice Act would reform the Medicaid program to provide equal access to community-based attendant services, allowing individuals greater choice in the care they receive. Most people with disabilities prefer to live in their communities, with their families, in their homes, among their friends. However, because of Medicaid’s institutional bias, many individuals who need attendant services are often forced into nursing facilities in order to receive the supports they require. Institutionalization severs individuals from society, greatly limiting their ability to engage and contribute politically, socially, economically, and spiritually.

Bias toward institutional placements is in conflict with the shared values of our faiths. By allowing older adults and people with disabilities to receive care in their homes and communities, this legislation ensures that they can remain active participants in their families, neighborhoods, and congregations.

The Community Choice Act both respects the dignity of individuals and benefits our society as a whole. It is a crucial step in fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency” for people with disabilities. We applaud Senators Harkin and Specter and Representative Davis for their leadership on this crucial legislation and strongly encourage you to work toward its passage.

Respectfully,