National Disability Issues
S.683: Community Choice Act of 2009
Sponsored: Senator Thomas Harkin (Democrat -- Iowa)
This bill amends the Medicaid section of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plan coverage of community-based attendant services and support for certain Medicaid eligible individuals. Two of the most important aspects of this bill are the requirement for an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage for states that actively promote the use of community-based attendant services and supports. In addition, it includes increased federal financial support for certain expenses of the state for providing such services and supports.
This bill was introduced on March 24, 2009. It has since been referred to the Committee on Finance.
H.R. 1408: Inclusive Home Design Act of 2009
Sponsor: Representative Janice Schakowsky (Democrat -- Illinois)
This bill's purpose is to require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of accessibility for persons with disabilities.(With exceptions). Simply put, this means the houses must include at least one level that complies with these standards of accessibility.
1. They must have accessible entrance.
2. They must have accessible interior doors.
3. They must have accessible environmental controls.
4. They must have accessible living space and an accessible bathroom.
Another important feature of this bill is that requires each applicant for Federal financial assistance to submit compliance plans to the relevant federal agency, and for each person who constructs such a house to submit building plans for state or local approval. Under no circumstances would an applicant be approved for financial assistance if they are not taking appropriate measures to enforce compliance with the law.
This bill was introduced on March 10, 2009. It is currently referred to be the House committee on financial services.
H.R.3101: 21st-Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009
Sponsor: Representative Edward Markey (Democrat-Massachusetts)
This bill's objective is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet based communications and video programming technologies in the 21st century. It amends The Communications Act of 1934 to include disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Furthermore it requires new technologies of all types be made accessible for people with various and divergent disabilities unless it can be shown to be an undue burden. (Meaning difficulty or expense) Still, the equipment or service must be compatible with existing commonly used devices or specialized customer equipment unless once again, an undue burden can be shown.
This bill was introduced June 26, 2009. It has been referred to the House committee on energy and commerce.
C.L.A.S.S Act
It creates a national insurance trust that people can voluntarily participate in. It’s a publicly sponsored insurance plan, to make it as low-cost as possible. You pay a monthly premium. If you become disabled and need assistance with activities of daily living [A.D.L.’s] at any age, you can qualify for a daily cash benefit on the order of about $50 to $75 a day, depending on your level of disability.
The legislation doesn’t set specific benefits. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop the details. It has to be actuarially sound and self-sustaining.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD
STATEMENT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM
The need to re-examine the SSI program
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was enacted in 1972 and began paying benefits in 1974. It replaced federal-state programs of Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled. Since that time, the program has changed in ways that were not anticipated by Con¬gress in 1972. Other programs have been enacted or amended that impact the same population. At the same time, some aspects of the SSI program have not changed over the years. After more than 35 years, it is time for the Congress to consider re-examining the SSI program. Congress should consider what it wants to accomplish with the SSI program, looking specifically at what an SSI check buys now and what Congress intends that it should buy. We recommend this review of the SSI program with due regard for budgetary concerns and the administrative complexity of the program. At a minimum, any changes to the program should avoid adding to that complexity; if possible, they should reduce it.
The Social Security Advisory Board has begun a review of several aspects of the SSI program. In this statement, we discuss three specific aspects of the program that we think should receive a fresh look as part of a comprehensive legislative review:
• benefit levels in households with more than one SSI beneficiary;
• benefit levels for disabled beneficiaries; and
• asset limits and excluded amounts of income.
Read the full article on SSI Reform
FMAP and FY10 Budget Letter from Ways and Means Chairman Charles Murphy
The attached spending proposal relies on approximately $1.06 billion in additional Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage monies. These funds are crucial to ensuring Massachusetts’ continued commitment to protecting the neediest amongst us. While monies from the federal government will certainly help to replace lost revenues, due to the size of our projected shortfall it can only be part of our solution. To close the remaining gap, this document relies on over $1.8 billion in cuts to state programs and services. It is impossible to make budget cuts of this magnitude without adversely affecting wide portions of our society. While difficult, these cuts are necessitated by the drop-off in capital gains, corporate, and personal income taxes, none of which are expected to return to healthy levels for several years.
Editors Note: The FMAP percentage was increased from approximately 50-55% to 60% as part of the Federal Stimulus packages.
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