The Disability Integration Act (DIA)
The Disability Integration Act (DIA) is a civil rights, bipartisan and bicameral legislation, introduced by Senators Charles Schumer, Minority Leader (D-NY) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) in the Senate and Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House, to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions and losing their basic civil rights. The legislation (S.117, H.R.555) builds on the 25 years of work that ADAPT and other disability rights advocates have done to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities home and community-based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization. It is the next step in our national advocacy after securing the Community First Choice (CFC) option.
Update: The bill was re-introduced in the current Congress on January 15th.
Our Senators and Representative were original sponsors and co-sponsors. As of June 2019 the bill had enough sponsors for passage, however, it is held up in commitee in the House.
Here is a link to the current co-sponsorship list:
Is your member of the House of Representatives on the list?
Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program Act (Empower Care Act)
Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program Act
In late January, 2019, H.R. 259, the Medicaid Extenders Act, was signed into law. The bill includes three months of funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program. As we know, three months is not enough to sustain the work of MFP, but it does provide a much needed extension while we continue our advocacy for a longer renewal.
The Empower Care Act (S548 / HR1342) was introduced to reauthorize the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program.
What can you do?
Educate your legislators in Washington on the importance of the Empower Care Act. Who are your representatives?
House of Representatives
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
US Senate
https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Disability Integration Act
The Disability Integration Act (DIA) is a civil rights, bipartisan and bicameral legislation, introduced by Senators Charles Schumer, Minority Leader (D-NY) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) in the Senate and Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House, to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions and losing their basic civil rights. The legislation (S.117, H.R.555) builds on the 25 years of work that ADAPT and other disability rights advocates have done to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities home and community-based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization. It is the next step in our national advocacy after securing the Community First Choice (CFC) option.Update: The bill was re-introduced in the current Congress on January 15th. There are 24 Senators signed on as of the end of January, 2019. Both NY Senators are on the bill. Congressman Brindisi, who represents the 22nd. District, was an original co-sponsor.
Money Follows the Person
Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program Act
In late January, 2019, H.R. 259, the Medicaid Extenders Act, was signed into law. The bill includes three months of funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program. As we know, three months is not enough to sustain the work of MFP, but it does provide a much needed extension while we continue our advocacy for a longer renewal.
The Empower Care Act (S548 / HR1342) was introduced to reauthorize the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program.
Ask Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Brindisi to co-sponsor these bills. Use our "Who Represents You in Congress" tool on our homepage for contact information.