Media Advisory

Contacts:
UCP: Lauren Cozzi, 202-973-7114, & Alicia Kubert Smith, 202-973-7168, AAPD: Lara Schwartz, 202-521-4309, 

Representatives from Interfaith Religious Community & Disability Organizations Host Web Chat Discussing Importance of Medicaid for People with Disabilities

Washington, DC (November 8, 2011) - the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), and the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC) – a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of religious and religiously affiliated organizations whose core spiritual values affirm the rights and dignity of people with disabilities – will host a public web chat to discuss current deficit reduction strategies while representing a broad cross-section of the nation’s various faith traditions on Thursday, November 10 at 1:30 p.m. EST.

As the US Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Supercommittee”) continues to deliberate and craft proposals concerning the federal budget, it is important that the voices of the faith community be a vibrant part of the national conversation. Americans of many faiths support policies and programs that promote independence and dignity for people with disabilities. Medicaid is a tool that enables millions of Americans with disabilities to enjoy these freedoms, including contributing to their communities, families and congregations.

Participating IDAC members will share their unique perspectives about why Medicaid must be preserved for people with disabilities. The public can engage in the web chat by submitting questions to and logging in to engage in the conversation.

 WHO:            Hosted by AAPD, UCP & IDAC. Participants include Mark Perriello,
                        AAPD President and CEO; Khizer Husain of American Muslim Health
                        Professionals; and the following IDAC members:

• Meg Cooch, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Lutheran Services in America Disability Network, “When thinking about deficit reduction and balancing the budget, we must apply our faith values to possible proposals. Medicaid allows people with disabilities the opportunity to be full participants in our society by providing critical services and job supports.”
• David Feinman, Senior Legislative Associate, the Jewish Federations of North America, “Considering the challenges the ‘Supercommittee’ and the rest of the Congress face coming to a consensus on most issues, it is critical that they hear from people who want to have a constructive conversation.” 
• Maggie Mitchell Siddiqi, Islamic Society of North America, "In Islam, we are instructed to protect the dignity of every human being and provide help for those in need. As a Muslim, I believe in the importance of preserving safety net programs like Medicaid, which help people maintain their dignity and self-sufficiency.”
• Khizer Husain, Member, Task Force on Health Affordability, American Muslim Health Professionals, "My faith compels me to advocate for the neediest, particularly if it involves sacrifice."

WHAT:          Web Chat: Protecting Medicaid Across Faith Lines for People                
                       with Disabilities

WHEN:         Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. EST

WHERE:       http://bit.ly/smog5m

EMAIL:         Anyone may submit questions to

To learn more about AAPD and UCP’s joint efforts to ensure quality healthcare and access to care, please visit America’s Supercommittee at www.ucp.org/public-policy/america-s-super-committee.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visitwww.ucp.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. Visit www.AAPD.com for more information. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UCP Contacts:
Lauren Cozzi, 202-973-7114,  
Alicia Kubert Smith, 202-973-7168, 

AAPD Contacts:
Lara Schwartz, 202-521-4309, Frankie Mastrangelo, 202-521-4308, 

Disability Groups Emphasize Need for Quality Care & Access to Care, in Lead Up to the Congressional Supercommittee Hearing about Debt Reduction Plans
on Tuesday

The Supercommittee decision cannot only be about saving money;
it must be about ensuring access to quality care

Washington, DC (November 1, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) oppose some measures in the previously-released deficit reduction proposals, which will be discussed at a hearing of the Supercommittee on Tuesday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Former Senator Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles of The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, Dr. Alice Rivlin and Former Senator Pete Domenici of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Debt Reduction Task Force are scheduled to testify.

“Changes to Medicaid in the Simpson-Bowles and Rivlin-Dominici proposals would put Americans with disabilities at risk. We urge Members of Congress and the Administration to stand firm against any measures that would jeopardize those with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, UCP President & CEO.

“Medicaid provides me with in-home personal care services so I can choose to live in my home instead of an institution. Members of Congress must keep the millions of Americans like me in mind as they determine the fate of Medicaid,” said Robert Coward, a quadriplegic and member of a shadow Supercommittee -- called “America’s Supercommittee” -- established by UCP and AAPD to put a human face on Medicaid.

“Reducing access to care for Americans is not an option, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t reduce costs,” said AAPD President and CEO Mark Perriello. “To reduce costs without limiting eligibility, we need to ensure that programs are operating efficiently. Some of the proposals being considered today place too much of the cost-cutting burden on people with disabilities,” he added. 

The Bowles-Simpson commission plan proposes repealing or reforming the CLASS Act, which establishes a voluntary program for workers to purchase long-term care insurance and supports. UCP and AAPD oppose repeal and urge members of Congress to reject any attempts to do so. 

One proposal would require persons eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare to enlist in managed care programs. Many managed care programs have had success. Not all programs are equal, however. An acceptable plan will employ the best practices used by effective managed care plans and ensure that individuals have access to providers and quality care.

UCP and AAPD favor changes to save money in the Medicaid program that don’t adversely impact recipients, such as reducing prescription drug costs and enabling more people with disabilities to stay in their homes instead of costlier nursing homes. While both of the previous debt reduction plans being highlighted at the hearing contain measures opposed by UCP and AAPD, the organizations endorse the proposal in the Bowles-Simpson commission plan to extend the Medicaid drug rebate to those individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. Visit www.AAPD.com for more information.

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LONG-TERM CARE PROGRAM SHOULD BE IMPROVED, NOT SCRAPPED

Congress and Administration Should Make Adjustments to Make Program Financially Sound

Washington, DC (October 27, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) oppose efforts in Congress to repeal the CLASS Act (the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act).  At a hearing yesterday the Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee committed to providing Congress with information on the changes in the CLASS Act law that would enable the Administration to design a program that would be financially sound. UCP and AAPD call upon Congress and the Administration to get to work and make the CLASS Act's benefits available to the millions of people who need them.

“President Obama should veto any legislation that would repeal the CLASS Act. Instead, the President should urge Congress to make it work. Scrapping the program would be unacceptable. America has a long-term care crisis that we must solve. The CLASS program would make long-term care insurance accessible. Without it, millions of Americans will be unable to afford care they need,” said Mark Perriello, President of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

“We should strengthen, not weaken, our country’s safety net. People with disabilities are already struggling. Many states are cutting back Medicaid benefits and it will get much worse if Congress slashes Medicaid funding in the name of deficit reduction,” said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. 

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
“The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change.” Visit www.AAPD.com for more information.

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