| ADVOCACY NEWS: ACA Joins CCD in Calling for the Addition of Prosthetic Devices to the "Affordable Health Choices Act" |
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Dear Senators Kennedy and Enzi: Re: Affordable Health Choices Act The following members of the Health and Long Term Services and Supports Task Forces of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) are writing to express our strong support for the draft proposal to reform our nation’s health care system. The Affordable Health Choices Act represents a positive sea change that will significantly improve access to health and long term services and supports for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. CCD, a coalition of national consumer, service provider and professional organizations, advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities and chronic conditions and their families. We believe that the goal of health care reform should be to assure that all Americans, including people with disabilities and chronic conditions, have access to high quality, comprehensive, affordable health care that meets their individual needs and enables them to be healthy, functional, live as independently as possible, and participate in the community. The proposal released last week goes a long way toward meeting that goal. Many of the proposal’s provisions will greatly improve the lives of people with disabilities and chronic conditions. We highlight a few to underscore their importance: Insurance Market Reforms: The proposals provisions in this area truly represent a sea change in the private health insurance market. In particular we are extremely pleased that the following is included:
Benefits Categories We greatly appreciate the Committee’s recognition of people with disabilities’ needs in the benefits categories set forth in this proposal. We understand that the proposal includes Durable Medical Equipment, Orthotics, Prosthetics and Supplies (DME/POS) in addition to rehabilitative, habilitative, and mental health and substance abuse services -- all of which are critical to enabling people with disabilities to function independently. Prevention, Accessibility, Workforce Training, and Health Disparities: We are especially pleased that the proposal includes the following: · Authorization of $10 billion to establish a Prevention And Public Health Investment Fund ; · Community Transformation Grants that include focus on the needs of individuals with disabilities; · Development of standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment; · Inclusion of disability status within data collection on health disparities along with race and ethnicity; and · A priority for training programs for primary care providers and dentistry on how to treat individuals with disabilities. Community Living Assistance Supports and Services (CLASS) Act We applaud the inclusion of the CLASS Act in the Affordable Health Choices Act. For persons with disabilities and chronically ill older Americans – arguably the most vulnerable populations in the nation – long term services and supports are their primary unmet care need, and are critical to promoting health and preventing illness. The landmark CLASS Act is the threshold to meaningful change ensuring that individuals are able to function as independently as possible within their homes, families, and their communities. We believe it is imperative that this provision be retained as the Committee’s legislation moves forward. Thank you for your leadership on these critical issues. We look forward to working with you and your staff to secure passage of meaningful and comprehensive health reform legislation that meets the needs of all Americans this year. Sincerely, ACCSES American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation American Association of People with Disabilities American Association on Health and Disability American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association American Network of Community Options and Resources American Occupational Therapy Association American Therapeutic Recreation Association Amputee Coalition of America Association of University Centers on Disabilities Autism Society of America Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Brain Injury Association of America Burton Blatt Institute Council for Learning Disabilities Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Easter Seals Epilepsy Foundation Higher Education Consortium for Special Education Learning Disabilities Association of America Lutheran Services in America Mental Health America National Alliance on Mental Illness National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services National Association of State Head Injury Administrators National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare National Council on Independent Living National Disability Rights Network National Down Syndrome Congress National Down Syndrome Society National Multiple Sclerosis Society National Rehabilitation Association National Respite Coalition National Spinal Cord Injury Association Paralyzed Veterans of America TASH Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children The Arc of the United States United Cerebral Palsy United Spinal Association World Institute on Disability For additional information, please contact any of the individuals below. CCD Health Task Force Co-Chairs
CCD Long Term Services and Supports Co-Chairs
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