Kerry - American's with Disabilities Plan

[sandnsea]

Kerry Unveils Plan to Provide Freedom, Independence and Choices for Americans With Disabilities

January 05, 2004

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA –

During a nation-wide conference call with disabilities advocates and professionals, John Kerry unveiled his plan to provide freedom, independence and choices for Americans with disabilities as part of his agenda for the first one hundred days of his administration.

Kerry is proposing what he calls a “platform for Americans with Disabilities” that he developed in partnership with disabilities advocates and leaders in the community. Kerry’s platform will strengthen Medicaid and Medicare, fully fund IDEA, promote community-based services, better support employed people with disabilities, and construct creative solutions to the transportation, technology, and housing needs of individuals with disabilities. Kerry believes that the government should not be investing in tax giveaways for the wealthiest Americans while the IDEA is underfunded and Medicaid is in danger of being weakened, and he will fight the far right’s efforts to undermine the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“As president you have the privilege and obligation to make choices,” said John Kerry. “In the first one hundred days of my administration we will choose to take steps to enhance freedom, independence and provide more choices to Americans with disabilities.”

“Our family has met the medical and financial challenges posed by my son Ben's disability, but a critical component of Ben's support network-- Medicaid coverage for certain care that our private insurance does not cover -- is under constant threat,” said Maggie Hassan of Exeter, New Hampshire, mother of a teenager with severe developmental disabilities. “The state of New Hampshire is currently considering eliminating this coverage for some 1,200 disabled children because of budget constraints, and there is no federal backup system that would provide these children the care they need and the independence they deserve. Our experience also tells us that the current Medicare and Medicaid programs are framed by outdated preconceptions about those with disabilities and their families, and fail to provide incentives to keep citizens with disabilities at home or in community based settings.”

Kerry’s bold plan will reform nearly every aspect of public policies that affect Americans with disabilities.

Invest in Medicaid and Provide Real Prescription Drug Coverage Through Medicare.
Pass the Family Opportunity Act, Fully Enforce Laws Protecting the Rights of Americans with Disabilities, and Oppose Every Effort to Weaken the ADA.
Appoint a National Bipartisan Community First Commission to Identify Short and Long Term Policy Reforms To Improve Disabilities Services.
Reform Medicare to Eliminate Barriers to Coverage for Americans With Disabilities, Including Individuals who are Competitively Employed.
Establish Full and Unconditional Mental Health Parity.
Broaden Employment Opportunities Including Hiring 100,000 Qualified Individuals as Federal Employees Over Five Years.
Fully Fund IDEA and Improve Access to Higher Education
Provide Incentives to Enhance Transportation Services and Extend Service Operation Times and Build Public/Private Partnerships to Provide Services.
Improve Access to Air Travel and Other Modes of Transportation
Invest in Technology to Expand Employment Opportunities.
Adopt Policies that Provide Accessible, Affordable, and Integrated Housing.
Introduce and Pass Legislation on Concurrent Receipt for All Veterans who are Disabled.

“John Kerry understands the problem. He has proposed solutions. His platform outlines a comprehensive reassessment of disability policy in America -- not just health care and special education, but also employment, civil rights, transportation, higher education and assistive technology,” said Hassan. “John Kerry has proved that the disability community's concerns are his concerns too. My son, my family and my country will be better off with John Kerry as president.”

The detailed plan: http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/awd/americanswithdisabilities.pdf

[Ilsa]

1. Thank you! This is an excellent idea.

My own son has a developmental disability. I worry for him constantly as there is no way we can save enough money for his future.

I hope some of the other candidates will consider developing similar policies so the entire Democratic field will be ready to face * on this issue.

[curse10]

2. Has anyone else even talked about this?

Everytime I turn around Kerry is coming up with more ideas :-)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Ha ha. Then they copy/repeat his ideas

especially regarding foreign policy.

[Democrats unite]

3. Good for Kerry

American's with Disabilities Have been totally forgotten the past 3 years!