from the Catholic News...Disabled seek bishops' support for community living act. Members of ADAPT, a disabilty rights group, met with a representative from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on July 27 to ask for USCCB backing for a federal law to keep people with disabilities in their homes instead of in nursing homes. The law is called the Medicaid Community-based Attendant Services and Support Act, which the demonstrators referred to by the shortened name MiCASSA. It has been introduced in both houses of Congress as S401 and HR 910, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act.
Funding is biased in favor of institutionalization of those with disabilities for Medicaid, preventing people from living in the community and forcing them into nursing homes to get the care they need. This is a serious problem as states cut back on funding provided for in-home living for people with disabilities due to shrinking budgets. Basically, more people will be forced into nursing homes when they lose their state monies for home care. This is despite the fact that community living is more cost-effective, overall, than nursing home care. Additionally, the effect of living in a nursing home is de-humanizing to those with disabilities who are institutionalized against their will.
Members of ADAPT told the USCCB that they sought their backing because they realize the Catholic church has a longstanding commitment to social justice issues. A follow-up meeting was arranged with representatives from USCCB, NCPOD and Catholic Health Ministries.
Members of ADAPT also brought up concerns about lack of accessibility at some churches. Some Catholic members of ADAPT indicated they attend other religious services because their local Catholic church is not accessible.
According to the ADAPT website, there are over 2 million people with disabilities of all ages in nursing homes and other institutions and over 250,000 people in nursing homes want to return to the community .
Their website is located at: http://www.adapt.org/
4 comments:
Very serious issue. People live in fear that they will lose their funding. I've seen a few friends give up and die in nursing homes at young ages. I would live on the streets first.
I'm glad they're having a nother meeting. Like you say "Hope!"
We have to push for the laws to go through. I know lots of people who this affects. I hope that people listen to us because when you want to have a decent life like everyone else they have to understand that we are just like them and need what they need.
I think it's a good sign they're meeting again too. It makes more sense even financially to keep people out of institutions if it's more cost effective and it's also what they want. Times have changed.
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