ADAPT Talks back to the Democrats!
July 21st, 2009
The Democratic National Committee has created ads talking about the need for healthcare reform, but they don't tell you about the need to eliminate the institutional bias.
ADAPT is talking back to the Democrats in a language they should understand. ADAPT has produced its own video telling the Democrats that "It's time to pass the Community Choice Act."
Watch the video here.
Contact the Democratic National Committee and tell them "It's time to pass the Community Choice Act."
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has a paper position supporting the Community Choice Act, but the DNC stands by and watches while the Democratic Leadership does nothing to eliminate the institutional bias. Instead, the DNC publicly supports healthcare reform that perpetuates Medicaid's institutional bias that steals the freedom... and lives... of Americans with disabilities and older Americans.
When the aging and disability communities advocated that healthcare reform eliminate the institutional bias, we were told that "It's too expensive."
We were told to be patient. We were told to wait. Well, we cannot and will not wait any longer. Tell the Democrats that it's time to eliminate the institutional bias. Tell them that it's time to pass the Community Choice Act.
Seniors and people with disabilities overwhelmingly prefer to live in the community with supports rather than receive long term assistance in a nursing facility or other institution. Unfortunately, under federal rules, the Medicaid system does not give people a choice and often requires that people go into a nursing facility or other institution to get the assistance they need.
The Community Choice Act gives people real choice in long term care options. This legislation ends the institutional bias in the Medicaid program by giving individuals who are eligible for nursing facility services or other institutional "care" equal access to community-based services and supports, like attendant services.
Contact your Senators and Representative in Congress with these links.
- Click HERE to send a message to your state Senators
- Click HERE to send a message to your Representative in Congress
Transcript from Video:
Anita Cameron
I have multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. I'm 44, and I was put in an
institution when I was 19.
Roger Strickland
When we couldn't take care of my mother anymore, my family was forced to
put her in a nursing facility.
Marty Maxwell
I want to stay in my own home, but Medicaid won't pay for that.
Reggie DeJesus
Everyday, I hear that states are cutting services for people with
disabilities and forcing them into institutions. I worry that I may be
next.
Rebecca Payton
Even though an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that people
should be able to get assistance in their own homes, the Democrats have
done nothing.
Roger Strickland
It's time.
Reggie DeJesus
It's time.
Rebecca Payton
It's time.
Anita Cameron
It's time for the Democrats to accept responsibility for creating
Medicaid's institutional bias.
Roger Strickland
It's time for the Democrats to apologize to American families who are
forced to send their loved ones into nursing facilities and other
institutions.
Reggie DeJesus
It's time for the Democrats to apologize to the disability community for
stealing our freedom... and our lives.
Marty Maxwell
It's time for the Democrats to eliminate the institutional bias.
Rebecca Payton
It's time to Free Our People.
Anita Cameron
It's time to pass the Community Choice Act.
Closing message
It's time to Pass the Community Choice Act
Go to www.ADAPT.org/takeaction