FEDERAL ISSUES
Here you will find information on federal activities and programs that affect people with disabilities, including:
News
Justice Dept. to SCOTUS: Don't overturn entire law, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, January 27, 2012
House GOP to offer health reform 'replace' plan after SCOTUS rules, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, January 26, 2012
Obama Makes Only Modest Mention Of Health Care In State Of Union, By Kaiser Health News, January 25, 2012
Pay for SGR Repeal With War Savings, Says Organized Medicine, By Robert Lowes, Medscape Medical News, January 2012
House Republican budget to seek Medicare reforms, By David Lawder, Reuters, January 20, 2011
House panel votes to repeal CLASS Act, By Jessica Zigmond, Modern Healthcare, January 18, 2012
Supreme Court holds the fate of Medicaid, By J. Lester Feder, Politico, January 17, 2012
U.S. to Force Drug Firms to Report Money Paid to Doctors, By Robert Pear, New York Times, January 16, 2012
Critics Question Obama Choice For Disability Committee, By Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop, January 12, 2012
Nearly 500 state lawmakers to press Supreme Court to uphold healthcare mandate, By Sam Baker, The Hill, January 11, 2012
Health care reform lawsuit: States file legal arguments against Medicaid expansion, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, January 10, 2012
Romney, Santorum, Others Call For Medicare ‘Premium Support’ In New Hampshire GOP Debate, By Kaiser Health News, January 09, 2012
Justice Department defends health mandate, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, January 06, 2012
Congress' Full 2012 Plate: The 'Doc Fix,' The Health Law And Automatic Cuts, By Jackie Judd, Kaiser Health News, January 04, 2012
First Vote Reinforces G.O.P.’s Ideological Divide, By Jim Rutenberg, New York Times, January 04, 2012
A New Year's Forecast For The Health Care Bill, National Public Radio (NPR), December 13, 2011
27% Medicare pay cut to return March 1 unless Congress makes new deal, By David Glendinning, American Medical News, December, 27, 2011
For GOP, 'repeal and replace' has been nothing but a mantra on health-care law, By David A. Fahrenthold, Washington Post, December 24, 2011
Medicare 'doc fix' debate in Congress less predictable this year, By N.C. Aizenman, Washington Post, December 23, 2011
GOP Presidential Hopefuls: Where They Stand On Health Care, By Kaiser Health News, December 23, 2011
On payroll tax cut, GOP caves to Obama, By Jonathan Allen, Seung Min Kim and Scott Wong, Politico, November 17, 2011
Phantom firms bleed millions from Medicare, By Brian Grow and Matthew Bigg, Reuters, December 21, 2011
Senate, House Remain At Odds Over 'Doc Fix' Dilemma, By Kaiser Health News, December 20, 2011
House rebuffs Senate payroll tax cut extension, calls for conference, By Pete Kasperowicz and Amie Parnes, The Hill, December 20, 2011
House to vote Tuesday on measure that includes two-month freeze on doc pay, By Jessica Zigmond, ModernHealthcare.com, December 19, 2011
Supreme Court sets health care arguments for March, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, December 19, 2011
Extension of Tax Cut Stalls in House as G.O.P. Objects, By Jennifer Steinhauer , New York Times, December 18, 2011
Congress approves $10 million for Gulf War illness research, By Kelly Kennedy, USA TODAY, December 18, 2011
Lawmakers Agree on Spending Bill, Avoiding Shutdown, By Jennifer Steinhauer and Robert Pear, New York Times, December 15, 2011
FAQ: The 'Doc Fix' Dilemma, By Kaiser Health News, December 15, 2011
Congress Takes Up a Partisan Battle, Again, Over Spending, By Jennifer Steinhauer , New York Times, December 14, 2011
House approves payroll tax cut extension, with strings attached, By Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, December 13, 2011
Congress At Impasse Over Must-Pass Measures, By Tamara Keith, National Public Radio (NPR), December 13, 2011
Berwick Calls Republicans 'The True Rationers', By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News, December 08, 2011
House panel votes to repeal CLASS healthcare act, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, November 30, 2011
Disability Groups Urge Feds To Decide On Community Living, By Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop, November 29,2011
Military's Brain-Testing Program A Debacle, Daniel Zwerdling, Joaquin Sapien and T. Christian Miller, National Public Radio (NPR), November 28, 2011
Nominee to head Medicare viewed as a pragmatist, By Sarah Kliff, Washington Post, November 27, 2011
What the Super Committee Failure Means for Senior Health Programs, By Howard Gleckman, Forbes, November 23, 2011
Last chance for Medicare, Medicaid reform? Nope, By David Nather, Politico, Novtember 22, 2011
Health Programs Facing Cutbacks After Super Committee’s Failure, By Marilyn Werber Serafini and Mary Agnes Carey, Kaiser Health News, November 21, 2011
Supercommittee fails to reach a deal, By Seung Min Kim & Jake Sherman, Politico, November 21, 2011
Parties brace for 'super' fallout, By Manu Raju & Jake Sherman, Politico, November 21, 2011
Why the supercommittee is in trouble, By Manu Raju & Jake Sherman, Politico, November 18, 2011
Supercommittee searches for a Plan B, By Jake Sherman & Manu Raju, Politico, November 17, 2011
Supreme Court’s planned review of health-care law shocks Medicaid advocates, By N.C. Aizenman, Washington Post, November 16, 2011
Supercommittee on the brink, By Jake Sherman & Manu Raju, Politico, November 16, 2011
The Super Committee: Why Failure Is the Best Option, By Merrill Goozner, The Fiscal Times, November 15, 2011
Supreme Court puts healthcare law in campaign spotlight, By David Savage, Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2011
Supreme Court to review health reform law, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, November 13, 2011
House Democrats' unity tested over CLASS Act repeal vote, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, November 13, 2011
Super Committee Republicans Offer Deal On Tax Revenues That Includes Medicare Changes, By Jackie Judd, Kaiser Health News, November 09, 2011
D.C. court upholds health reform law, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, November 09, 2011
Insurers Seek to Avoid ‘Worst of All Worlds’ in Health-Care Case, By Greg Stohr, Bloomberg, November 03, 2011
G.O.P. Senators’ Letter Clouds Talks on Deficit, By Robert Pear, New York Times, November 03, 2011
AARP joins 50 groups opposing repeal of the long-term-care act, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, November 02, 2011
National Council on Disability Releases Federal 'State of the Union', From the National Council on Disability, November 01, 2011
Deficit Panel Is Warned That It Must Not Fail and Is Urged to Compromise, By Robert Pear, New York Times, November 01, 2011
Group forms inside debt panel in quest for deal, By Tim Reid, Rachelle Younglai and Thomas Ferraro, Reuters, November 01, 2011
Obama tackles drug shortages, By Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, October 31, 2011
Obama Tries to Speed Response to Shortages in Vital Medicines, By Gardiner Harris, New York Times, October 31, 2011
A Tweak To Health Law Would Eliminate Medicaid For Some, By Julie Rovner, National Public Radio (NPR), October 27, 2011
Dems resist GOP calls to repeal CLASS Act, By Sam Baker, The Hill, October 26, 2011
Health care reform review decision could come on Nov. 10, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, October 26, 2011
GOP to pressure Obama to support repealing CLASS Act, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, October 25, 2011
Supreme Court to hear case on Medicaid rates, By Sam Baker, The Hill, October 02, 2011
States lobby against Medicaid cuts in Congress, By David Morgan, Reuters, September 29, 2011
Obama's health reform law rests with the Supreme Court, By David Nather, Politico, September 28, 2011
Supreme Court asked to review challenge to health reform law, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, September 28, 2011
US debt panel eyes dual Medicare/Medicaid patients, By Donna Smith, Reuters, September 28, 2011
Paul Ryan delivers health care reform replacement, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, September 27, 2011
Health reform lawsuit appears headed for Supreme Court, By Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico, September 26, 2011
Stow woman leads national fight to preserve Medicaid for disabled Americans, By Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal, September 23, 2011
Medicaid directors seek flexibility from supercommittee, By Sam Baker, The Hill, September 22, 2011
Wyden urges supercommittee to improve care coordination in Medicare and Medicaid, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, September 21, 2011
In Cuts to Health Programs, Experts See Difficult Task in Protecting Patients, By Robert Pear, New York Times, September 20, 2011
The Specifics: How Obama Plans To Cut Health Programs By $320 Billion, By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News, September 19, 2011
Democrats See Perils on Path to Health Cuts, By Robert Pear, New York Times, September 13, 2011
Deficit panel eyes good ol' options, By Scott Wong, Politico, September 11, 2011
Appeals court shoots down Virginia's healthcare challenge, By Sam Baker, The Hill, September 08, 2011
91 charged in $295M Medicare fraud crackdown, By Curt Anderson & Peter Yost, Associated Press, September 08, 2011
What’s Happening in the Nation’s Capital?, From the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Weekly Advocacy Monitor, September 07, 2011
Congress Returns, Seeking Consensus On ‘Super Committee’, By Jackie Judd, Kaiser Health News, August 31, 2011
GOP Presidential Hopefuls: Where They Stand On Health Care, By Kaiser Health News, August 25, 2011
NCIL Action Alert: Fight to Save Medicaid!, From the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), August 22, 2011
Advocates say supercommittee threatens Medicaid, By Sam Baker, The Hill, August 19, 2011
Deficit Super Committee: Sharks vs. Jets?, By Eric Pianin, The Fiscal Times, August 11, 2011
What the Debt Ceiling Bill Means for the IL Community!, From the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), August 10, 2011
Democrats Challenging Administration on Medicaid, By Robert Pear, New York Times, August 08, 2011
FAQ: Debt Deal 'Super' Committee's Impact On Health Spending Explained, By Mary Agnes Carey and Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News, August 03, 2011
Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell and the making of a debt deal, By Glenn Thrush & Carrie Budoff Brown & Manu Raju & John Bresnahan, Politico, August 02, 2011
Workforce Investment Act Update, From the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), August 01, 2011
Medicaid Untouched, Medicare Spared — For Now — In Debt Deal, By Jackie Judd, Kaiser Health News, August 01, 2011
Obama urges bipartisan compromise to raise debt ceiling, By Jennifer Epstein, Politico, July 29, 2011
Boehner down to the wire with votes, By Jake Sherman & John Bresnahan, Politico, July 28, 2011
Vote on Boehner Plan Delayed Amid Opposition, By Carl Hulse and Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times, July 26, 2011
Board Releases Rights-of-Way Guidelines for Public Comment, From the U. S. Access Board, July 26, 2011
Showdown Nears on Debt as Obama Warns of 'Crisis', By Carl Hulse and Jackie Calmes, New York Times, July 25, 2011
Budget ax is poised as debt-ceiling deadline nears, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, July 25, 2011
'Gang Of Six' In The Health Care Spotlight, By Jackie Judd, Kaiser Health News, July 20, 2011
Post-ABC poll: GOP too dug in on debt talks; public fears default consequences, By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen Washington Post, July 19, 2011
Gang of Six plan looks to health for savings, By Jennifer Haberkorn & Matt Dobias, Politico, July 19, 2011
Debt Deal Search Intensifies, By Carol E. Lee And Naftali Bendavid, Wall Street Journal, July 19, 2011
Dems' muddled message on Medicaid worries advocates, By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, July 16, 2011
Eric Cantor, PhRMA fight drug discounts in debt deal, By Matt Dobias, Politico, June 29, 2011
Cuts Would Only Shift Health-Care Costs, By Thomas M. Burton, Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2011
5 Ways Obama Can Break the Debt Ceiling Impasse, By Eric Pianin, The Fiscal Times, July 12, 2011
Budget Talks Beginning to Take On a Testy Air, By Mark Landler and Carl Hulse, New York Times, July 11, 2011
President Calls For 'Meaningful Changes' To Medicare, Medicaid (Video Excerpts), From Kaiser Health News, July 11, 2011
The Politics Behind The Debt-Ceiling Drama, By Liz Halloran, National Public Radio (NPR), July 07, 2011
Obama Says Debt Talks ‘Constructive,’ but Big Gaps Remain, By Mark Landler and Carl Hulse, New York Times, July 07, 2011
Legislation
Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (S. 3406 & H.R. 3195) a bill to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 became Public Law 110-325 on 9/25/2008.
The Community Choice Act (S. 683 & H.R. 1670): CCA would give individuals who receive Medicaid and who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care equal access to community-based services and supports.
The Community Choice Act: A Summary
The Community Choice Act: Talking Points
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
Community First Choice (CFC) Medicaid State Option creates a new home and community-based service within the Medicaid state plan. There would be a 6% enhanced FMAP for states that select the CFC option to encourage them to break new ground and provide new, cost efficient methods of providing Medicaid long term services and supports.
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007 (S 697 & 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.
Empowered at Home Act of 2008 (S 3327) would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid program. The bill would improve the Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) state plan option by giving states more flexibility in determining eligibility and by increasing the services states can offer under the program. This is expected to create greater options for individuals in need of long-term services and supports. In return, states could no longer cap enrollment and services would have to be offered throughout the entire state. The bill also provides spousal impoverishment protections for the HCBS option; tax-related provisions to support caregivers and promote purchase of private long-term care insurance; and grants for states to invest in organizations and systems that can help to ensure a sufficient supply of workers, promote health and ensure more consumer-centered HCBS.
Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252 - HAVA requires state and local governments to make polling places accessible to voters with disabilities, including providing at least one voting system accessible to individuals with disabilities at each polling location, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.
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
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.The provisions of this bill were enacted as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HR 3221).
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 FAQ
Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R.1424) would require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans and prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment, and for other purposes.
Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is a bill that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them.
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.
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 ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels. The ADA National Network consists of ten Regional ADA National Network Centers located throughout the United States that provides personalized, local assistance to ensure that the ADA is implemented wherever possible. The Network is not an enforcement or regulatory agency, but a helpful resource supporting the ADA’s mission to “make it possible for everyone with a disability to live a life of freedom and equality.”
ArchiveADA serves as a comprehensive, online archive of documents and history related to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). Here you can find the text of the law, legislative history, congressional hearings, Supreme Court cases, federal regulations, policy and advocacy documents and additional information related to the passage of the original ADA and the ADAAA.
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.
Disability.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
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, This official online version of the standards brings together the information on the scoping and technical requirements for new construction and alterations resulting from the adoption of revised 2010 Standards in the final rules for Title II (28 CFR part 35) and Title III (28 CFR part 36) in one easy-to-access location. The webpage also includes guidance on the 2010 Standards from the revised regulations for Titles II and III. This explanatory information from the regulations addresses the scoping and technical provisions of the 2010 Standards.
ADA Update: A Primer for Small Businesses is a new U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division illustrated guide to help small business owners understand the new and updated requirements of the revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations that took effect on March 15, 2011.
JAN ADA Hot Links and Document Center links you to nearly every free publication on the ADA that is published by the federal government.
Medicaid, the Budget, and Deficit Reduction: The Threat Continues by Families USA, August 2011 - This policy paper explains the threat to Medicaid posed by the debt ceiling compromise and urges advocates to speak up about the importance of Medicaid and the dangers of cutting the program.
National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, October 2011 - in this report, the National Council on Disability (NCD) assesses the current state of people with disabilities in America and how emerging trends and government policies are impacting the quality of their lives. The report offers a broad range of recommendations for reforms designed to enhance the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Summary by Kaiser Family Foundation, April 2010 - The summary of the new law, and changes made to the law by subsequent legislation, focuses on provisions to expand coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care delivery system.
Fact sheets on the Revised ADA Regulations Implementing Title II and Title II (These final rules will take effect March 15, 2011):
- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA
- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title III of the ADA
- Adoption of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design
Summary of Key Changes in Revised ADA Regulations - The Southeast ADA Center, one of ten regional resources in the DBTAC National Network of ADA Centers, has put together this summary of key changes about the revised and expanded regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that took effect on March 15, 2011.
Voters with Disabilities: More Polling Places Had No Potential Impediments Than in 2000, but Challenges Remain, GAO-09-685, June 2009 - This report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that access for voters with disabilities has improved since the 2000 election, but many problems remain.