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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Urge the Candidate Representatives to Address Urgent Olmstead and Medicaid Issues at the Presidential Forum!

Institutionalization Is No Way to Live 2011 protest signThe Governor of the state of Washington, Chris Gregoire (D), is considering whether she will appeal the case MR v Dreyfus to the Supreme Court. If her appeal is granted, the Supreme Court would have the opportunity to limit or even overturn the landmark Olmstead decision, which established the right of individuals with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting under the ADA.

The Supreme Court granted a partial extension to Washington State, so the new deadline for the state to file its MR v Dreyfus appeal is October 22nd. That means we have less than one month to convince Governor Gregoire to not appeal the case to the Supreme Court!

Ted Kennedy Jr. (D) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) are speaking on behalf of their respective parties at the National Forum on Disability Issues to present their campaign’s positions on matters relating to Americans with disabilities. The event takes place between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 28, at the Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio. 

So far, 245 people have urged the party representatives at this week’s event to address MR v Dreyfus, Olmstead, Medicaid and Medicaid reform.

Take Action: You can join them by sending a message to the representatives using ADAPT’s online form.

Regardless of who wins the Presidency or controls Congress, there is one thing that we know: Medicaid reform will be on the agenda. Providing state flexibility and capping federal funding through block granting are the basis for many of these Medicaid “reforms”. Olmstead protections and enforcement will be more important than ever.

Source: Portions of this article were produced by our allies at ADAPT.

Comments

  1. Please ask the candidate representatives to address the issue of Home & Community-Based Services. People with disabilities have the right to live in the most integrated setting and the responsibility to fully participate in the world around them. AND we vote!