NAD Supports MiCASSA

Submitted by admin [1] on Mon, 03/01/2004 - 04:00

The National Association of the Deaf re-announced its support of legislation to remove the nation's institutional bias in Medicaid funded long term care services.

Disability supporters are urging the Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Democrat Max Baucus (D-MT) to hold hearings on removing the institutional bias in Medicaid, the nation's major funder of long-term care services and supports.

Congress currently are currently considered several bills that would allow older Americans and individuals with disabilities to be able to receive long term care in their own homes instead of being required to enter nursing homes.

At least two bills have languished, waiting for Congressional action. Those two are S.1394, Money Follows the Person Act, and S.1971, MiCASSA, the Medicaid Home and Community-based Services and supports Act). Over 700 organizations across the nation, including the NAD, have signed on to date in support of MiCASSA.

Kelby Brick, Director of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center, commented that "it is critical President Bush works with Congress to ensure that individuals with disabilities -- including deaf and hard of hearing persons -- have the option of receiving long term care in their own homes."

More information about MiCASSA can be found at:
http://www.aapd-dc.org/News/newsmicassa.html [2]