Approved by the NCIL Membership June, 2003
WHEREAS, NCIL is the leading national representative voice for the independent living movement for CILs throughout the United States, and
WHEREAS, despite several years of substantial progress towards our goal of independent living, the institutional bias of America’s long term services and supports continue to unnecessarily warehouse people with disabilities in nursing homes and other segregated institutional settings; and
WHEREAS, there continues to be an entitlement to nursing home services and no real choice for community services and supports; and
WHEREAS, President George W. Bush, in an Executive Order dated June 19th, 2001 “COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES”, stated that the United States of America is committed to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of all Americans; and
WHEREAS, the President’s Executive Order further charged the U.S. Attorney General, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration with ensuring that existing Federal resources are used in the most effective manner to support the goals of the ADA and the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision; and
WHEREAS, MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community-based Attendant Services and Supports Act, would give people with disabilities real choice in where they receive their long term services and supports; and
WHEREAS, the National Council on Independent Living fully supports the passage of MiCASSA;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: that on this date June 6, 2003, the National Council on Independent Living will promote the passage of MiCASSA by supporting legislative efforts, activities and events to ensure passage of this Real Choice initiative.
Respectfully Submitted by;
Liberty Resources, Inc.
Thomas H. Earle, Esq., Executive Director
NCIL Personal Assistance Services Subcommittee
Linda Anthony, Chair and NCIL Board Members
Disabled in Action of PA, PA ADAPT
