National Issues Report

MiCASSA
S.401 Sponsor: Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] and Sen Specter, Arlen [PA]

H.R.910 Sponsor: Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] and Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19]
Federal Legislation to ensure services at home.
CDR SUPPORTs

Money Follows the Person
S.528
H.R. 3063
SIGNED! A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to States to conduct demonstration projects that are designed to enable medicaid-eligible individuals to receive support for appropriate and necessary long-term services in the settings of their choice.
CDR SUPPORTS

Help US Senators Oppose the Medicare In-Home Restriction
Please Ask Your Senators to Sign the Senate "Dear Colleague" Letter Today!
We Need to Support Senators Santorum and Bingaman in Opposing Medicare's " In-home" Restriction!
As background, Medicare's "in the home" restriction limits coverage of mobility devices (e.g., wheelchairs) to only those devices necessary within a person's home. So, a Medicare beneficiary who is able to function at home, but who needs a mobility device in the community (to work, go to a doctor appointment or attend worship services) would not be eligible. The restriction goes against current US policy and law, such as the ADA and the New Freedom Initiative.
CDR SUPPORTS

Bill Number: H.R. 1441
Sponsor: Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
Official Title as Introduced: 'To require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities. '

Inclusive Home Design Act of 2005 - Requires, with exceptions, newly constructed, federally assisted single family houses and town houses to include at least one level that complies with the following accessibility features for persons with disabilities: (1) accessible entrance; (2) accessible interior doors; (3) accessible environmental controls; and (4) accessible habitable space and an accessible bathroom. Requires: (1) each applicant for Federal financial assistance to submit compliance assurances to the relevant Federal agency; and (2) each person who arranges for design or construction of a covered dwelling to submit architectural and construction plans for State or local approval. Prohibits Federal financial assistance to a State or local government unit unless the recipient is taking certain enforcement actions with regard to covered dwellings. Permits: (1) private civil actions in a U.S. District Court or State court for violations under this Act; and (2) the Attorney General to commence civil actions or intervene in civil actions under this Act.
CDR SUPPORTS

Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act
H.R. 1264
Earlier this year, Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2005 (H.R. 1264). Reps. Terry and Capps recognize the inadequate wages paid to hundreds of thousands of direct support professionals who struggle daily to enhance the lives of people with disabilities while at the same time struggling to provide income security for their own families. H.R. 1264 represents a first step in bringing an unfair situation to the attention of Congress and the nation.
CDR PENDING

Increase Accessibility, Reduce Cost of Long-Term Care
S 1602Intended to help reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of long-term care for elderly U.S. residents and individuals with disabilities.
Prohibit states from considering benefits paid under a long-term care insurance policy when determining eligibility for Medicaid;
Expand a long-term care partnership that currently operates as a demonstration program in four states;
Allow states to offer home- and community-based services as part of their state Medicaid plan; and
Add a set of consumer protections,
individuals who purchase policies with such consumer protections would be eligible for tax deductions and credits to cover the cost of the out-of-pocket expenditures of caregivers.
The tax credit would be implemented over four years, starting with $1,000 this year and increasing to $3,000 in 2009. The tax credit would decrease by $100 for each $1,000 -- or fraction of $1,000 -- that the taxpayer's modified adjusted growth income exceeds $150,000 for a joint return or $75,000 for an individual return.
CDR PENDING