Take Action to Expand Health Care to Children and Adults with Disabilities

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Will Hawke wrote: Expand Health Care to Children and Adults with Disabilities Expand Health Care to Children and Adults with

Disabilities Easter Seals Legislative Newsletter June 2006 In this issue: a.. Take Action to Expand Health Care to Children and Adults with Disabilities b.. Older Americans Act: Caregiver Support Expanded and Supportive Services Enhanced c.. Register to Vote! Support Disability Issues at the Polls Do you have colleagues who are interested in reading about these topics? Help us promote the health and independence of people with disabilities through legislative advocacy by forwarding this Newsletter. -------------------------------------------------------------- Take Action to Expand Health Care to Children and Adults with Disabilities As a result of Easter Seals and others advocacy efforts, Congress recently gave states the option to expand health care services to children and adults with disabilities. The newly enacted Family Opportunity Act enables parents of children with disabilities to buy-into the Medicaid program to secure vital services for their child. Medicaid is the only health insurance plan with the comprehensive benefits these children need. Congress also approved the Money Follows the Person Act that will allow individuals of all ages with disabilities or long-term illnesses to live in settings of their choice. Currently, many people can only receive services in nursing homes. State legislators and governors need to enact similar legislation in order to implement these programs in their state. Take Action Now! Ask your state legislature and governor to pass legislation implementing the Family Opportunity Act and the Money Follows the Person Act. Older Americans Act: Caregiver Support Expanded and Supportive Services Enhanced On May 17, a House panel approved legislation that would provide more home and community-based services to seniors at risk of institutionalization. The proposal would expand respite and other supports to older caregivers of adults with disabilities through the National Family Caregiver Support Programs. Further, the bill would make

several changes to the nation's only low-income older worker program, including creating more opportunities for program innovation. Read more about the Older Americans Act. Register to Vote! Support Disability Issues at the Polls People with disabilities now have the law on

their side when it comes to accessible polling places. Enacted in the wake of problems during the 2000 presidential election, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 assures all eligible voters the right to vote independently, privately and securely so their vote will be counted. States continue to work to provide voting machines that are fully accessible for voters with disabilities. Americans with disabilities and people concerned about disability issues can honor their obligations as American citizens by registering to vote, educating themselves about the candidates, issues, and propositions on the ballot, and VOTING in local, state, and federal elections. Are you registered to vote? If not, learn more about registering to vote in your state -- visit Congress.org's voter registration page. Tell a Friend about Easter Seals Legislative

Action Do you have colleagues who are interested in reading about these topics? Forward this newsletter to help us gather support for promoting the health and independence of people with disabilities through legislative advocacy. This Disability Relations Group email is sponsored by: Election Systems & Software, Inc. (ES & S) is the world's largest and most experienced provider of total election management solutions with over 74,000 systems installed worldwide. In 2004, ES & S supported more than 7,300 elections in the United States. Based on the primary voting tabulation system installed within the United States, our customers represent approximately 42 percent of the registered voters in the U.S. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska; the company has a customer base of over 1,700 jurisdictions in 46 states, Canada, and several international locations. Disability Relations Group 12552 Belcher Rd. S. Largo, FL 33773 Voice: Fax: drg@... We are on the Web!! Come visit us at: www.drgglobal.com Disability Relations Group is a global disability relations image and policy facilitation firm. Its clients range from small community nonprofits to Fortune 500s all wishing to better their relations with the disabled and elder communities. It works not only in the areas concerning general issues related to disability and elder concerns, but also specializes in the areas of accessible voting,

technology and transportation. Important Note The above information is provided as a service and is not necessarily the opinion of Disability Relations Group or its management,its management, members, sponsors or clients. Unsubscribe information: If you would like to be removed from future mailings please send email to drg@... and type REMOVE in the subject line or write us at 12552 Belcher Rd. S., Largo , Fl 33773 No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free

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