For Immediate Release:

Contact: Chris Hilderbrant (585) 267-0343
March 23, 2009

Disability Advocates travel to Washington, DC, for introduction of key legislation, Senate hearing on Long Term Care

Rochester, NY – Approximately 30 disability rights advocates will gather tonight at the Center for Disability Rights and travel overnight by bus to Washington, DC. These advocates will be joining others from across the nation to celebrate the introduction of the Community Choice Act (CCA) in the 111th Congress.

The Community Choice Act is scheduled to be introduced March 24, 2009, at 2:30 PM by Senator Tom Harkin (D- IA) and Representative Danny Davis (D – IL). In addition to the 30 advocates in attendance from the Greater Rochester Area, advocates remaining in Rochester are invited to listen in to the introduction and supportive speakers. The Center for Disability Rights will be a host-site for a nationwide phone broadcast of the event. Interested individuals should be at CDR’s office at 497 State Street by 2:15 PM, March 24, 2009.

The Community Choice Act would balance Medicaid’s Long Term Care program by providing services in a person’s home and community, instead of nursing homes. Under current Medicaid law, states have to fund care in a nursing facility, but are not mandated to also fund the same care in a person’s own home. As a result, many people in need of long term care services and supports are literally forced to enter nursing homes or other institutional settings in order to receive the care they need.

Among New York’s representatives, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have committed to cosponsor the bill. Representative Louise Slaughter was a cosponsor of CCA in the 110th Congress and Representative Dan Maffei committed during his campaign to cosponsor the legislation. Advocates have received no commitment from Representatives Eric Massa or Chris Lee.

“Whether you talk to the disability community or to AARP and other aging organizations, the message is both clear and consistent,” said Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy with the Center for Disability Rights. “People want to stay in their own homes and communities. They do not want to be forced into a nursing home, away from family and friends, because they need some assistance in their daily lives.”

The advocates from Rochester will be staying overnight Tuesday and then attend the US Senate Finance Committee’s Health subcommittee hearing on Long Term Care as part of Health Care reform, Wednesday March 25, 2009. Senator Charles Schumer is on the Health subcommittee. Advocates will return to Rochester in the early hours of Thursday, March 26, 2009.