FEDERAL ISSUES
Here you will find information on federal activities and programs that affect people with disabilities.
Legislation
H.R. 5173 (pdf / text) would temporarily delay application of proposed changes to Medicaid payment rules for case management and targeted case management services that would severely limit the number of days agencies can be reimbursed for these services.
The Community Choice Act of 2007 (S. 799 pdf / text & H.R. 1621 pdf / text): CCA would give individuals who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care equal access to community-based services and supports.
The Community Choice Act of 2007 (S. 799 /HR 1621): A Summary
Some Questions & Answers about the Community Choice Act
Estimating the Expense of a Mandatory Home- and Community-Based Personal Assistance Services Benefit Under Medicaid, University of California San Francisco, by Mitchell P. LaPlante, PhD; H. Stephen Kaye, PhD; Charlene Harrington, PhD
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007 (S.1758 & H.R.3001) would establish a national long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become severely functionally impaired. To qualify for benefits, individuals must be 18 years old and have contributed to the program at least 5 years. All working adults will be automatically enrolled in the program, unless they choose not to be.
The Medicare Independent Living Act (H.R. 1809) would significantly improve community access for Medicare beneficiaries with mobility impairments by removing a discriminatory restriction that bases the coverage of mobility devices solely on an individual’s mobility needs inside their home.
The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 (H.R. 2895), would establish dedicated sources of funding for the production, preservation and rehabilitation of 1.5 million affordable homes over the next 10 years. At least 75% of the funds would be for housing for households that are extremely low income, earning less than 30% of an area’s median income.
Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act of 2007 (S.1881 & H.R. 3195),
Fair Home Health Care Act (S. 2061 & H.R. 3582), would require minimum wage and overtime pay protections for workers in the home health care industry.
Testimony regarding H.R. 3582, The Fair Home Health Care Act of 2007, Provided by Mike Oxford, Executive Director, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
To contact your U.S. Senators or Representative go to the Congress.org Homepage and type your zip code in the box in the upper left-hand corner of the screen under the words "Write Your Officials". Just click on the arrow and you will be taken to a page with links to contact information for your Congressional delegation.
News
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-TALK) Provides Vital Help to More Than 55,000 Callers in Its First Year, From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 28, 2008
Department of Justice Proposes Vast Changes in ADA Regulations - YOUR COMMENTS URGENTLY NEEDED!, From the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), July 28, 2008
Senators question nursing homes’ growing use of arbitration, By Kevin Freking - Associated Press Writer, June 18, 2008
Good-Bye Full Accessibility, Information Bulletin #250 from Steve Gold, June 17, 2008
Plan Seeks More Access for Disabled, By Robert Pear, The New York Times, June 16, 2008
ADA Negotiated Deal on Tap, From the NCIL Weekly Advocacy Monitor: Volume 6, Issue 22, June 9, 2008
F.D.A. to Expand Scrutiny of Risks From Drugs After They’re Approved for Sale, By Gardiner Harris, The New York Times, May 23, 2008
AMA Supports Community Choice Act, From ADAPT, November 19, 2007
CCA House hearing moves forward and S.799/H.R.1621 co-sponsor list is growing!, From ADAPT, November 17, 2007
Advocates Catch Road to Freedom Bus and Pack Hearing Room to Support ADA Restoration Act, From ADAPT, November 16, 2007
CCA hearing update!, From ADAPT, October 17, 2007
Advocacy Organizations and Informational Resources
The Access Board or Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board develops minimum guidelines and requirements for standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), develops accessibility guidelines for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment under the Telecommunications Act, provides technical assistance on those guidelines, and enforces the Architectural Barriers Act.
The ADA Home Page is the definitive source for information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are the federal agency responsible for administering the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), and several other health-related programs.
DisabilityInfo.gov is the federal government's one-stop Web site for information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and many others.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strives to increase home ownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal civil rights laws dealing with employment and provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is one of 10 modal administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. FTA administers federal funding to support a variety of locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the U.S., including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, and people movers.
The Job Accommodation Network or JAN, is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and educating callers about self-employment options.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Medicaid is a Federal/State entitlement program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources.
The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.
The Social Security Administration pays retirement, disability and survivors benefits to workers and their families and administer the Supplemental Security Income program. We also issue Social Security numbers. See our Quick Guide to all Social Security services.
THOMAS is your one-stop resource for free access to federal legislative information.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), one of the largest health charities in America, strives to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. They serve people with disabilities and their families through the development of forward-thinking programs, information and referral service, legislative advocacy, technology initiatives and research.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program's Website is dedicated to providing information about veteran benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service to veterans, employers, and the general public.
Publications
JAN ADA Hot Links and Document Center links you to nearly every free publication on the ADA that is published by the federal government.