Highlights from The Capitol Insider for the Week of September 27, 2010:
The ARC and UCP to Oppose CLASS Act Repeal
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 3829, a bill to repeal the CLASS Act. Senators Chambliss (R- GA), Coburn (R-OK), Cornyn (R-TX), and McCain (R-AZ) joined as co-sponsors of the bill. The CLASS Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, creates a nationwide long term insurance program to assist people with long term service needs while avoiding the impoverishment necessary to receive Medicaid benefits. The Arc and UCP strongly supported passage of the CLASS Act and will oppose its repeal.
Obama to Sign "R" Word Elimination Bill
The House of Representatives passed Rosa’s Law (S. 2781), substituting the term “intellectual disabilities” for “mental retardation” in many federal laws. The bill is identical to the bill passed by the Senate earlier this year. President Obama will sign the bill into law soon. The terminology change does not affect eligibility or services available under the laws where the terminology is changed. This bill is a huge victory for self advocates and their families who have fought for years to remove the term “mental retardation”.
Expanding Assistance in Individuals with Autism
The House of Representatives passed HR 5756, The Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act to amend Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act and Bill of Rights Act (The DD Act), expanding assistance to children and adults with autism. The bill would authorize $17 million grants to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) to provide training and services, and provide grants for up to four new UCEDDs that collaborate with minority institutions. The bill now does to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for consideration.
Previous issues of the Capitol Insider are available at www.ucp.org anytime by choosing "Capitol Insider" under "Public Policy." If you have any questions, please contact Annie Acosta at acosta@thedpc.org.
11 comments:
I am sickened by the very notion of any bill, which proposes a repeal of something as invaluable as The Class Act. I just don't see how anyone with a shred of decency or humanity could be against affordable healthcare. Even Republicans should see the logic of The Class Act. I never voted for Senator Cornyn , and I never will. I strongly support Pres. Obama's push for affordable healthcare and healthcare reform. I just don't understand why so many Republican politicians keep fighting and trying to repeal bills that have already been signed into law. The people have spoken, and now we should give it a chance to take effect and perhaps the outcome may be better than its opponents expected.
The “R” Word Elimination Bill is indeed a monumental victory for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. It is also a significant point in the development of a new society, which strives to respect the dignity of all people. It is imperative that we eliminate degrading, offensive, and demeaning words that are directed toward people with disabilities, as well as people without disabilities. This is a step in the right direction. This is a step toward empowerment for people with disabilities.
I realize that many people have a preconceived notion as to which particular group of people with disabilities are most in need of federal assistance. This sometimes leads to bickering and incessant arguments as to where the money should be appropriated. The disagreements are often between people who should be working together. I guess the harsh reality is that everyone is in competition for federal money. However, I support all people with disabilities. If a particular group is able to receive funding, then good for them. Everyone will get their turn if they continue to advocate for themselves and support one another. I hope (HR 5756) The Training and Research For Autism Improvements Nationwide Act gets signed into law.
Sometimes there is little or much progress, in this case there were 2 out of 3. Only looking into insurance when many people are serviced with Medicaid, he could have at least acknowledged it.
I am very happy for the change of the term "intellectual disabilities" because mental retardation is highly stigmatized. I have a friend that her child has the label of mental retardation and she is ashamed of it. We have perceived this label as very low functioning for individuals that have this label so therefore many people do not like it. Now I can tell my friend that she and others can use intellectually challenged.
In regards to the money that will be spent on trainings in Autism is awesome. In the school setting, we do get trained in Classical Autism but I think we need more. Specially the parents, there are some parents that are really eager to help their children but they still do not have the proper training. I know of a lady that is always asking for more information to help her child, and they tell her we will train you (the school) but they do not do it. It may be lack of funding but now I hope that there will be no excuse, I hope that the money is also used for parents of Autistic Individuals. Anyways they are the ones that spend the most time with their children.
In support of the CLASS Act, I believe it is very important to take influences of such Acts like the CLASS Act and create stronger, better bills that will benefit today’s people with disabilities. The fact that several Senators are trying to take away the Act shows there is no progress in focusing on what people with disabilities need. It is very interesting to know that the CLASS Act benefits people who need long term services. These people could have pain management or spinal cord injury and might need long term services. So, the Senators are taking a great resource for these people. The Arc and UCP should find advocates to not let this happen.
Finally, we have a President who knows what discriminatory language does when it is found on a Bill. The Rosa’s Law Bill containing the words “mental retardation” failed to be corrected until Obama has decided to substitute the term for “intellectual disabilities.” This shows the professionalism in language on the Bill. As mentioned, many will celebrate the victory of having “mental retardation” removed. This means that slowly but eventually, times are changing the way we view things for the way they should be viewed as a society who knows that people with disabilities are also a huge part of this nation. It is great to hear people with disabilities are getting the respect they’ve all worked so hard to receive.
Being that autism is an important developmental disability that affects many, providing the opportunity for research through grants and training services is something effective towards people who have autism. Working with minority institutions as this research is conducted will help aid those minority people with disabilities that truly do need the assistance. Therefore, this Act serves as a double successful resource. The expansion of four new University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) is money well spent due to the fact that they will allow for current graduate students and professors to continue the research in learning more about autism. These types of grants would be very beneficial here in the Rio Grande Valley, as many graduate students want to help people with disabilities in the Valley.
I think that given the projected numbers of people requiring long term medical assistance (15 million by 2020) The Class Act is a very important bill. I think that it could be very beneficial to the growing population of people requiring long term medical care. I do also believe that in theory, this is a very positive thing. I think that all people should have access to healthcare, and that The Class Act is proposing this. I also have to be a little bit skeptical of government controlled health care. I think that Medicaid and Medicare have become disasters as a result of abuse. I fear that any new government controlled health care plans will ultimately become such disasters and that this country will suffer more than it is now. I am all for providing long term health care for those in need, but we must not forget at what price.
I think the "R" Word Elimination Bill is a move in the right direction as far as people with learning disabilities are concerned. By changing the term "mentally retarded" to "people with intellectual disabilities", we are expanding the group to be serviced. Mentally retarded typically refers to a specific group of people with a specific level of intellectual functioning. By using the term People with intellectual disabilities, we are widening the gap allowing for treatment and assistance for those people that typically "fall through the cracks" and are over looked where services are concerned.
By allotting $17 million in grant money for research and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, we are allowing for better knowledge and care for this growing population. I think that with Autism on the rise, it is a wise and necessary allotment of money. I think that there really is not enough known about Autism Spectrum Disorders and as a result, these children and families are at a disadvantage.
I am disbelief that we would even dare oppose an act that would benefit all of us. I thought that we lived in a democracy, where everyone received fair and equal treatment, I guess not. The republicans are always pulling the same scam; they only seem to look out for their own interest and not the interest of the entire population. Individuals should not have to go extreme lengths such as impoverishment to receive health benefits.
This is a positive change that I think many will appreciate such as family members of the person with that particular disability, advocates, and especially the person with the disability. No one should have to be labeled or stigmatized, and this change will help remove some of the stigma. The term Intellectual disability sounds more proper and less dehumanizing.
People with disabilities should receive the funding to help improve their quality of life. They should always be advocated for especially when it comes to learning opportunities. I think that this will be a very good investment and will help empower a lot of children with autism and help their families as well.
Just when we think that not having or not being able to afford health care in the United States could be a thing of the past, along comes the Class Act Repeal. The CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act) is a voluntary, federally administered, consumer-financed insurance plan. It became law when President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010. I also, along with my colleagues, support Obama's continued efforts on providing all americans with affordable healthcare. It seems that perhaps Senator Lindsey Graham and her "followers" are not one of the 10 million Americans in need of long term services and supports. In the future, this number is expected to increase to near 15 million by 2020.
I’m glad to hear that the ARC and UCP is in support of the CLASS Act and will be opposing it’s repeal. The CLASS Program has provided individuals with disabilities home and community based services. With this program, individuals have access to various therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, massage therapy, music therapy, and recreational therapy), respite care, habilitation services, case management, as well as funds for home modifications, adaptive aids, and medical supplies. I am also in agreement to expand assistance to individuals with autism. The more funds available for treatment, the better quality of life individuals with disabilities experience.
In regards to eliminating the “R” word, I have already seen changes taking place. For example, the Mental Retardation Department at the Tropical Behavioral Health Center is now being called the Intellectual Disabilities Department. I strongly believe that these changes will reduce the negative stigma associated with someone seeking services for a disability. It is the government’s way of taking person-first language a step further.
To hear that the ARC and CUP is in support of the Class Act and will be opposing its repeal is great news. The programs provide individuals with disabilities therapy, home base services and community resources. I work for a company called LIFE HCS home community based services which we provide, Supportive home living, Foster Care, Day Hab, Therapy and any other services that an individual with a disability might needed. This is available to individuals with intellectual development disability, and Autism. With these services on could have a better quality of life for themselves and their families.
In regards to using the “R” word, I am glad they changed it from “mental retarded” to “intellectual development” disability. When one hears the word mentally retarded they tend to combine it with a physical impairment. Of course that is what society has made us believe. One who is mentally retarded must also have a physical deformity.
It is fantastic to see the change in terminology set forth in Rosa's law. Mental retardation has now become a popular derogatory slang term and professionals should stay one step ahead.
I am very happy with the news that The House of Representatives is approving financial support for training and research for individuals with Autism. I believe that this is a great opportunity for graduate students and professional specialized on the Autism Spectrum Disorder to increase the knowledge about this topic and to provide more people with it. With this financial support the community will be able to provide more resources for the kids and adults with this disorder and to find new perspectives on how to improve and surpass the implication of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Alinka Del Castillo
I enjoyed reeading this
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