To better reflect what the bill really does and to alleviate some of the misconceptions that led to previous negative cost scorings, ADAPT and other other groups (including NCIL and CCD) worked with Congressional leaders and named the bill the Community Choice Act. The Community Choice Act builds on Money Follows the Person, which is after all only a step (though an important one) on the road to Real Choice in long term care. The bill will allow people who are eligible for nursing homes or other Medicaid funded institutions to have the choice of living in the community with consumer directed services and supports.
Details to follow soon! The ADAPT Community *********** From: Harkin, HarkinPress (Harkin) Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:10 PM Subject: HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2007 Contact: Maureen Knightly / Tom Reynolds 202-224-3254 HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES Legislation would increase access for people with disabilities and older Americans Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced the Community Choice Act of 2007. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), would increase access to community-based services and other supports for Americans with disabilities and older Americans. "I strongly believe that it is important to level the playing field and give eligible individuals equal access to community-based services and supports," Harkin said. "This legislation is needed to truly bring people with disabilities into the mainstream of society and provide equal opportunity for employment and community activities." Specifically, the Community Choice Act of 2007 gives individuals who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care equal access to community-based services and supports. The legislation also provides enhanced federal matching funds to help states develop their long-term care infrastructure and grant funds to help states increase their ability to provide home and community-based services. Finally, this bill creates a demonstration project to evaluate service coordination and cost sharing approaches for those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare services. "This vital legislation will open the door to full participation by people with disabilities in our neighborhoods, workplaces, economy, and our American Dream," Harkin said. The following Senators co-sponsored the Harkin-Specter legislation: Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Joseph Biden (D-DE), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Christopher Dodd (D-CT). # # # NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt MiCASA List HYPERLINK "http://www.adapt.org/"http://www.adapt.org -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/714 - Release Date: 3/8/2007 10:58 AM Mark Jackson RollinOn -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/714 - Release Date: 3/8/2007 10:58 AM
