ASO ACTION ALERT - Community Choice Act of 2007

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

There is an additional issue pending at the Federal level that will affect persons with autism and their families - and we need your help!

Urge your Legislators to Co-Sponsor and support the Community Choice Act of 2007

Legislation formerly known as MiCASSA, has been reintroduced in both houses of Congress as the Community Choice Act of 2007 - HB1621 introduced in the House and SB799 introduced in the Senate.

The Community Choice Act gives people real choice in long term care options by reforming Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) by ending the institutional bias. The Community Choice Act allows individuals eligible for Nursing Facility Services or Intermediate Care Facility Services for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) the opportunity to choose instead a new alternative, "Community-based Attendant Services and Supports." The money follows the individual!

In addition, by providing an enhanced match and grants for the transition to Real Choice before October 2011 when the benefit becomes permanent, the Community Choice Act offers states financial assistance to reform their long term service and support system to provide services in the most integrated setting.

Please contact your Congressperson and send them the following message (include some personal information about why you are interested in this legislation):

Dear Congressman _____________:

I am writing to request your support for the passage and co-sponsorship of the Federal Community Choice Act of 2007 (S799/HR1621)

This Act is a bi-partisan legislation, introduced by Senator Harkin (D) and Representative (D), and co-sponsored by Senator Specter ® and Representative Shimkus ®. If passed, this legislation would give individuals who are eligible for nursing home services and other institutional care, an equal access and a real choice to decide where they want to receive long term care services. As a result, Americans with disabilities, and older Americans, will be able to choose home care services in the community, with attendant care. This Act provides enhanced federal matching funds to help states develop their long-term care infrastructure and funds to provide home and community-based services. The Act also creates a demonstration project to assess service coordination and cost sharing approaches for those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

Your support and sponsorship of this Act will be greately appreciated and it is very much needed. Please contact me to let me know about your actions regarding this bill.

Sincerely,

Detailed information on how to contact your Federal legislators follows my signature.

For more detailed information about the Community Choice Act of 2007, visit http://www.adapt.org/casa/summary.htm.

Thank you for helping us with these important issues and remember make your voice heard!

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org

To find your Representatives, visit www.house.gov, and enter your zipcode+4 at the top of the page where it says “Find Your Representative†and enter your zipcode+4. Go to their webpage and select "Contact".

Senators:Sherrod Brown (D - OH) United States SenateWashington, DC 20510202-224-2315 http://brown.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Voinovich ( R - OH) 317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510(202) 224-3353http://voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

See what's free at AOL.com.