The next meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, December 13, 2007
11AM – 1PM
At: Roswell City Hall
Click the address for directions
38 Hill Street, Room 220
Roswell, GA 30075
Public comment is encouraged in mental health, developmental disabilities and addictive diseases. If you are planning to make a public comment, please arrive prior to 11am and limit your comment to 3 minutes. Thank you!
If you have questions, call Debbie Currere, Regional Planning Board Member, 770-649-0070
All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is Atlanta's preeminent resource on developmental disabilities, providing support services to families for more than 55 years. We are often the one place where people with developmental disabilities can go to achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation. AADD provides family support; public policy and advocacy; and community engagement.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Appropriate care difficult to find for brain injury victims
By ANDY MILLER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/20/07
...In October 2004, Ben Fuller was a smart, healthy college student, driving to a friend's house. A pile of debris in the road forced him to swerve suddenly. He lost control of the car, which flipped over. A passenger died.
Fuller's back and neck were broken. He was transported to the Rome hospital, where a doctor put his chance of survival at 12 percent.
For weeks, he lay in a coma. During that time, his girlfriend Kelly learned she was pregnant with Logan.
When Ben came out of it, he was unable to walk, feed himself or perform simple tasks like shaving. His behavior also was different. There were occasional verbal and physical outbursts.
With Ben in need of rehabilitation for both his mind and body, his parents started looking for help.
After a year at Floyd Medical Center, Fuller went to Shepherd Center, where he relearned how to feed himself, brush his teeth and say a favorite prayer. But the Atlanta organization doesn't provide neurobehavioral services. Such facilities, besides offering various therapies, have specialists to work with patients one-on-one to improve their impulse control.
Unable to find the needed residential services in Georgia, the Fullers looked elsewhere. Floyd Medical, where Ben was scheduled to return after his Shepherd stay, agreed to pay for a three-month stay at the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation. In Florida, Ben rebuilt muscles in his calves and relearned other activities. The institute kept him another eight months at no cost before he returned to Georgia.
Advances in emergency care over the past 30 years have allowed more people to survive brain injury. Hospitals have reported more Georgians getting treatment for traumatic brain injury, with about 54,000 hospital visits annually.
Yet the Brain Injury Commission report, which focuses on TBI victims with behavioral problems, says Georgia and other states do not have a systematic way of screening and identifying them.
In addition, health insurance — whether public or private — has tight limits on the treatments it will cover, the report says. The lifetime cost of care for TBI — ranging on average from $600,000 to $1.9 million— can accelerate with inappropriate hospitalizations, the report says...
Only one specialized residential option exists for such brain injury patients in Georgia, but it has limited space and rarely treats patients
in the Medicaid "waiver" program.
The Department of Community Health, which runs Medicaid in Georgia, criticized the report for inaccuracies on some of the programs' rules and terminology but did not challenge the central findings. The department said it is working to "improve service delivery systems."
Families generally must piece together whatever treatment services are available.
"Brain injury cuts across all economic levels," says Charles Fuller, Ben's father. "The only people who could deal [successfully] with this would be the super-rich."
Late last year, Ben's parents received special waiver funds from Medicaid to care for Ben at home. So he returned to the family's home in Calhoun in January. But the Fullers were unable to find sufficient help. The round-the-clock care exhausted them...
Wade Monk, a hospital attorney, says, "We are all aware he does not need to be hospitalized. He needs institutional care at a more appropriate facility."
But Monk adds: "There's probably no place in Georgia that offers the complete range of services that Ben needs — residential, supervision and rehabilitation..."
Even though Ben is eligible for Medicaid, Monk says, Medicaid probably will not pay for his current care at Floyd Medical because it is considered non-medical.
The costs for the bed at the hospital can surpass $2,000 a day.
Toll on families is crushing...
The commission's report says that Fuller's care, because of inappropriate placements, is at least $500,000 more than if he had been sent immediately to rehabilitation and behavior programs — a figure that the Medicaid agency disputes...
The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, with an annual $3 million budget, offers grants of up to only $15,000. State auditors have criticized the agency for high administrative expenses and for aiming grants at community services more than medical care. Craig Young, the executive director, says administrative costs have been reduced, and that its grants can't cover medical bills...
To read the complete article, click here.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/20/07
...In October 2004, Ben Fuller was a smart, healthy college student, driving to a friend's house. A pile of debris in the road forced him to swerve suddenly. He lost control of the car, which flipped over. A passenger died.
Fuller's back and neck were broken. He was transported to the Rome hospital, where a doctor put his chance of survival at 12 percent.
For weeks, he lay in a coma. During that time, his girlfriend Kelly learned she was pregnant with Logan.
When Ben came out of it, he was unable to walk, feed himself or perform simple tasks like shaving. His behavior also was different. There were occasional verbal and physical outbursts.
With Ben in need of rehabilitation for both his mind and body, his parents started looking for help.
After a year at Floyd Medical Center, Fuller went to Shepherd Center, where he relearned how to feed himself, brush his teeth and say a favorite prayer. But the Atlanta organization doesn't provide neurobehavioral services. Such facilities, besides offering various therapies, have specialists to work with patients one-on-one to improve their impulse control.
Unable to find the needed residential services in Georgia, the Fullers looked elsewhere. Floyd Medical, where Ben was scheduled to return after his Shepherd stay, agreed to pay for a three-month stay at the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation. In Florida, Ben rebuilt muscles in his calves and relearned other activities. The institute kept him another eight months at no cost before he returned to Georgia.
Advances in emergency care over the past 30 years have allowed more people to survive brain injury. Hospitals have reported more Georgians getting treatment for traumatic brain injury, with about 54,000 hospital visits annually.
Yet the Brain Injury Commission report, which focuses on TBI victims with behavioral problems, says Georgia and other states do not have a systematic way of screening and identifying them.
In addition, health insurance — whether public or private — has tight limits on the treatments it will cover, the report says. The lifetime cost of care for TBI — ranging on average from $600,000 to $1.9 million— can accelerate with inappropriate hospitalizations, the report says...
Only one specialized residential option exists for such brain injury patients in Georgia, but it has limited space and rarely treats patients
in the Medicaid "waiver" program.
The Department of Community Health, which runs Medicaid in Georgia, criticized the report for inaccuracies on some of the programs' rules and terminology but did not challenge the central findings. The department said it is working to "improve service delivery systems."
Families generally must piece together whatever treatment services are available.
"Brain injury cuts across all economic levels," says Charles Fuller, Ben's father. "The only people who could deal [successfully] with this would be the super-rich."
Late last year, Ben's parents received special waiver funds from Medicaid to care for Ben at home. So he returned to the family's home in Calhoun in January. But the Fullers were unable to find sufficient help. The round-the-clock care exhausted them...
Wade Monk, a hospital attorney, says, "We are all aware he does not need to be hospitalized. He needs institutional care at a more appropriate facility."
But Monk adds: "There's probably no place in Georgia that offers the complete range of services that Ben needs — residential, supervision and rehabilitation..."
Even though Ben is eligible for Medicaid, Monk says, Medicaid probably will not pay for his current care at Floyd Medical because it is considered non-medical.
The costs for the bed at the hospital can surpass $2,000 a day.
Toll on families is crushing...
The commission's report says that Fuller's care, because of inappropriate placements, is at least $500,000 more than if he had been sent immediately to rehabilitation and behavior programs — a figure that the Medicaid agency disputes...
The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, with an annual $3 million budget, offers grants of up to only $15,000. State auditors have criticized the agency for high administrative expenses and for aiming grants at community services more than medical care. Craig Young, the executive director, says administrative costs have been reduced, and that its grants can't cover medical bills...
To read the complete article, click here.
Very important meeting families need to attend
The Division of MHDDAD Office of Developmental Disabilities will host the first in a series of Regional Evening Seminars for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Families and Advocates in Metro Atlanta.
Georgia’s ‘New’ DD Waivers:
“NOW” and “COMP”
When:
Agenda:
Refreshments will be available for the participants.
Please Register by November 29!!
For more information or to register, click here.
Georgia’s ‘New’ DD Waivers:
“NOW” and “COMP”
When:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 6:30 -- 8:30pmWhere:
Holiday Inn and Conference Center- Decatur, Mary Gay Room
130 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-0204
Agenda:
The Seminar will provide an overview of the two new federal Medicaid waivers and plans for implementing the changes in 2008:•NOW: New Options Waiver for persons who live with family members or in their own home, andThese new waivers are designed to offer persons more control over how their service dollars are spent, whether in-home and/or in the community.
•COMP: Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program for persons who need a full range of out-of-home services or intensive, in-home services who do not otherwise quality for the NOW program
Refreshments will be available for the participants.
Please Register by November 29!!
For more information or to register, click here.
Access Pass – Provides Free Admission to National Parks
From the U.S. Geological Survey
If you or a family member have a disability and enjoy visiting our national parks, you may qualify for free admission. The U.S. Dept. of Interior offers something called an Access Pass – it replaces the old Golden Access Passport for those already familiar with our parks system. The Access Pass is for citizens or permanent residents of the United States, regardless of age, who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. It provides access to, and use of, any Federal recreation site that charges an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee and provides a discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees. The pass must be obtained in person.
For more information on the Pass and how to get one, click here.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
An update on the requested override of the budget impacting the DD Act that includes Partners...
The House of Representatives attempted to override President Bush's veto of the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill on November 15. Although a bipartisan majority voted for the bill, 277 to 141, the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority necessary.
Click here to see how your Representative voted.
Congress will return from the Thanksgiving recess on December 3.
Click here to see how your Representative voted.
Congress will return from the Thanksgiving recess on December 3.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Your Help Is Needed to Restore the ADA!
Under the direction of Sen. Harkin, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee heard testimony about a number of Supreme Court decisions that have significantly reduced the protections available to people with disabilities in employment settings.
Witnesses included:
The first four witnesses testified that restoring the ADA to Congress’
original intent would enable people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment without fear of losing their job because of their disability. Congress clearly intended to cover the full spectrum of disabilities, both visible and invisible. Ms. Olson expressed the Chamber’s concern that everyone would be covered under the ADA.
During an interesting question and answer period, Mr. Kemp responded that providing accommodations to employees with disabilities increases productivity and therefore increases profit – a must in business. Professor Feldblum added that everyone should be covered under the ADA to ensure that employees with disabilities and employees who are perceived to have a disability are protected under the ADA’s employment title. Read NCIL’s testimony to the Committee on the NCIL ADA Restoration Action Hub
ACTION NEEDED: Ask Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 1881!
Contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the ADA Restoration Act of 2007 S. 1881!
Background:
As you may know, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, S. 1881 and H.R. 3195 on July 26th. Through this legislation, the ADA’s intent, to eliminate discrimination based on disability, will be properly restored and the ADA will rightfully reclaim its place among our nation's civil rights laws.
Your calls and faxes are working! As of November 16th, 235 Representatives signed onto the House bill, H.R. 3195, and the Senate held its first hearing on the bill, S. 1881, on November 15th! While keeping pressure on the House, our sights are set on the Senate. Please urge your Senators to cosponsor and support S.1881. If one of your Senators is among the Republican members of the Senate Help, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)Committee listed below, your help is critical to moving this important bill!
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) is the lead Republican cosponsor of S. 1881. If you are from Pennsylvania, please call and THANK Sen. Specter for his leadership on this civil rights bill! We need to thank legislators when they do the right thing and support our cause!
TARGETED HELP COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Michael B. Enzi (WY), Judd Gregg (NH), Lamar Alexander (TN), Richard Burr (NC), Johnny Isakson (GA), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Orrin G. Hatch (UT), Pat Roberts (KS), Wayne Allard (CO), Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK).
Please take advantage of Congress' Thanksgiving recess to attend town hall meetings and other events held by your Members of Congress while they are back in their Districts (in your area). NCIL members are strongly encouraged to invite Members of Congress and their staff to visit Centers for Independent Living in their district and state.
Once you have contacted your Representative and two Senators, please contact Deb Cotter, Policy Analyst, at deb@ncil.org or (202) 207-0334, ext. 1008, and let her know the response you received. We are keeping track of cosponsors and need to know what Congressional staffers are telling their constituents. ForwardSourceID:NT003077B2
Witnesses included:
John Kemp, Attorney, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C., Washington, D.C.
Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, Counsel, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, Preston, Gates, Ellis, LLP, Washington, D.C.
Steven Orr, Pharmacist, Rapid City, South Dakota
Chai Feldblum, Director, Federal Legislation Clinic and Professor of Law, Georgetown Law Center, Washington, D.C.
Camille Olson, Attorney, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The first four witnesses testified that restoring the ADA to Congress’
original intent would enable people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment without fear of losing their job because of their disability. Congress clearly intended to cover the full spectrum of disabilities, both visible and invisible. Ms. Olson expressed the Chamber’s concern that everyone would be covered under the ADA.
During an interesting question and answer period, Mr. Kemp responded that providing accommodations to employees with disabilities increases productivity and therefore increases profit – a must in business. Professor Feldblum added that everyone should be covered under the ADA to ensure that employees with disabilities and employees who are perceived to have a disability are protected under the ADA’s employment title. Read NCIL’s testimony to the Committee on the NCIL ADA Restoration Action Hub
ACTION NEEDED: Ask Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 1881!
Contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the ADA Restoration Act of 2007 S. 1881!
Background:
As you may know, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, S. 1881 and H.R. 3195 on July 26th. Through this legislation, the ADA’s intent, to eliminate discrimination based on disability, will be properly restored and the ADA will rightfully reclaim its place among our nation's civil rights laws.
Your calls and faxes are working! As of November 16th, 235 Representatives signed onto the House bill, H.R. 3195, and the Senate held its first hearing on the bill, S. 1881, on November 15th! While keeping pressure on the House, our sights are set on the Senate. Please urge your Senators to cosponsor and support S.1881. If one of your Senators is among the Republican members of the Senate Help, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)Committee listed below, your help is critical to moving this important bill!
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) is the lead Republican cosponsor of S. 1881. If you are from Pennsylvania, please call and THANK Sen. Specter for his leadership on this civil rights bill! We need to thank legislators when they do the right thing and support our cause!
TARGETED HELP COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Michael B. Enzi (WY), Judd Gregg (NH), Lamar Alexander (TN), Richard Burr (NC), Johnny Isakson (GA), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Orrin G. Hatch (UT), Pat Roberts (KS), Wayne Allard (CO), Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK).
Please take advantage of Congress' Thanksgiving recess to attend town hall meetings and other events held by your Members of Congress while they are back in their Districts (in your area). NCIL members are strongly encouraged to invite Members of Congress and their staff to visit Centers for Independent Living in their district and state.
Once you have contacted your Representative and two Senators, please contact Deb Cotter, Policy Analyst, at deb@ncil.org or (202) 207-0334, ext. 1008, and let her know the response you received. We are keeping track of cosponsors and need to know what Congressional staffers are telling their constituents. ForwardSourceID:NT003077B2
NOTES FROM THE SENATE
BY SENATOR JACK HILL,
4th DISTRICT
More Positives Than Negatives in October
October was a mixed bag with overall collections up 2.0% or 3.6% excluding dedicated fuel taxes. Positives include Individual Income Taxes which grew at 7.5% and corporate income taxes which grew at 19.5%. Negatives include gross sales taxes which were negative at 2.7%. This was the first month both categories of fuel taxes were negative totaling a minus 20.2%.
Year To Date: July-October
Georgia has collected $5.6 billion in net tax revenues since the State Fiscal Year began in July 2008. This is an increase of $228 million or 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Individual income tax collections for the month grew by $53 million yielding a $151 million or 5.5% growth rate for the Year to Date (YTD). This income source represents almost half of the State’s net revenue collections.
YTD Sales and Use tax collections have declined $15 million or 0.4%. Examining various categories revealed mixed indicators. Most sales tax categories continued to indicate a slowdown in purchasing. Discounting utilities collections which do not rise or fall on consumer buying, only food and general merchandise were positive but only at 4.3% and 3.5% respectively, a fraction of the growth rate a year ago. Of course, only local governments receive food sales taxes. Negative categories include apparel at -2.1% automotive at -6.4% and lumber at -12.3%. Manufacturing was negative at -6.1%.
The breakaway collections leader continues to be corporate income taxes. YTD collections rose $66 million or 34.1%. For the month, the increase was $9 million or 19.5%.
Year to Date motor fuel taxes have climbed $4 million or 1.2% compared to the same period last year.
Where is Georgia Heading?
Rajeev Dhawan, director of the Economic Forecasting Center, presented his analysis of the economy to date and for the future. For the current quarter, growth was strong at 3.9%. However that pace will be cut by half for the remaining months of the year and even slower for the 1st quarter of next year. Dr. Dhawan argued that the real problem is a confidence crisis. Investors are wary because of the record number of foreclosures that are impacting their portfolios. Dr. Dhawan did not indicate that the State was in a recession.
Dr. Dhawan also asserted that the increase in oil prices is a temporary phenomenon. Oil prices are in record territory, but production costs and consumer demand has not been a primary driver of this increase. Dr. Dhawan believes that oil prices will decline in short order.
All in all, Georgia is still faring pretty well compared to many states. There is no doubt that the declining home construction market and the water shortage in North Georgia are negatives that will be felt this fiscal year. The only unknown is the extent of these negative trends.
Useful Websites:
Georgia General Assembly
Legislature's Home Page
4th DISTRICT
More Positives Than Negatives in October
October was a mixed bag with overall collections up 2.0% or 3.6% excluding dedicated fuel taxes. Positives include Individual Income Taxes which grew at 7.5% and corporate income taxes which grew at 19.5%. Negatives include gross sales taxes which were negative at 2.7%. This was the first month both categories of fuel taxes were negative totaling a minus 20.2%.
Year To Date: July-October
Georgia has collected $5.6 billion in net tax revenues since the State Fiscal Year began in July 2008. This is an increase of $228 million or 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Individual income tax collections for the month grew by $53 million yielding a $151 million or 5.5% growth rate for the Year to Date (YTD). This income source represents almost half of the State’s net revenue collections.
YTD Sales and Use tax collections have declined $15 million or 0.4%. Examining various categories revealed mixed indicators. Most sales tax categories continued to indicate a slowdown in purchasing. Discounting utilities collections which do not rise or fall on consumer buying, only food and general merchandise were positive but only at 4.3% and 3.5% respectively, a fraction of the growth rate a year ago. Of course, only local governments receive food sales taxes. Negative categories include apparel at -2.1% automotive at -6.4% and lumber at -12.3%. Manufacturing was negative at -6.1%.
The breakaway collections leader continues to be corporate income taxes. YTD collections rose $66 million or 34.1%. For the month, the increase was $9 million or 19.5%.
Year to Date motor fuel taxes have climbed $4 million or 1.2% compared to the same period last year.
Where is Georgia Heading?
Rajeev Dhawan, director of the Economic Forecasting Center, presented his analysis of the economy to date and for the future. For the current quarter, growth was strong at 3.9%. However that pace will be cut by half for the remaining months of the year and even slower for the 1st quarter of next year. Dr. Dhawan argued that the real problem is a confidence crisis. Investors are wary because of the record number of foreclosures that are impacting their portfolios. Dr. Dhawan did not indicate that the State was in a recession.
Dr. Dhawan also asserted that the increase in oil prices is a temporary phenomenon. Oil prices are in record territory, but production costs and consumer demand has not been a primary driver of this increase. Dr. Dhawan believes that oil prices will decline in short order.
All in all, Georgia is still faring pretty well compared to many states. There is no doubt that the declining home construction market and the water shortage in North Georgia are negatives that will be felt this fiscal year. The only unknown is the extent of these negative trends.
Useful Websites:
Georgia General Assembly
Legislature's Home Page
Eligibility for College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007
This new legislation (signed by President Bush pm 10/11/07) may impact your employees' student loans...
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a new public service loan forgiveness program. This program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. (Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008.)
This contrasts with the loan forgiveness of the remaining balance after 25 years of repayment under the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans for borrowers who are not employed full time in public service jobs.
Eligibility
What is forgiven?
Employment: The borrower must be employed full-time in a public service job for each of the 120 monthly payments. Public service jobs include, among other positions, government, military service, public safety and law enforcement (police and fire), public health, public education, public early childhood education, public child care, social work in a public child or family service agency, public services for individuals with disabilities or the elderly, public interest legal services (including prosecutors, public defenders and legal advocacy in low-income communities), public librarians, school librarians and other school-based services, and employees of tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Full-time faculty at tribal colleges and universities, as well as faculty teaching in high-need areas, also qualify.
Click here for the complete article.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a new public service loan forgiveness program. This program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. (Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008.)
This contrasts with the loan forgiveness of the remaining balance after 25 years of repayment under the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans for borrowers who are not employed full time in public service jobs.
Eligibility
What is forgiven?
Employment: The borrower must be employed full-time in a public service job for each of the 120 monthly payments. Public service jobs include, among other positions, government, military service, public safety and law enforcement (police and fire), public health, public education, public early childhood education, public child care, social work in a public child or family service agency, public services for individuals with disabilities or the elderly, public interest legal services (including prosecutors, public defenders and legal advocacy in low-income communities), public librarians, school librarians and other school-based services, and employees of tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Full-time faculty at tribal colleges and universities, as well as faculty teaching in high-need areas, also qualify.
Click here for the complete article.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Urgent Action Alert!
To understand the impact of this veto to Georgians, please read Eric Jacobson's, the Executive Director for the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities comments to his Board:
Help to Override the President’s Veto of the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill
What is at stake?
The appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies (Labor-HHS-Ed) is the bill that provides funding for the vast majority of federal disability programs.
Who does this affect?
Millions of people with disabilities, their families/caregivers, and service providers.
Status
TAKE ACTION:
Send an email message to your Senators and Representatives TODAY, November 14. Click here to compose and send the email. Please be sure to add some information about your personal interest in disability programs and services to the sample message.
Read an article about the veto, Bush Vetoes Health and Education Bill By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
So Action is Needed TODAYDear Council Members,
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities has notified us that the Congressional vote to override President Bush's veto of the Labor Health and Human Services budget may come up today. This budget includes $5 million in new funds for Councils across the country. New money will mean that we don't have to cut programs like Partners in Policymaking or can think about creating new programs. [emphasis added] Now is the time to let your representative and our senators know that you support that override. [You can access contact information easily online.]
[Click here to find a draft letter you might use in an email or fax.]
Please let us know if you do contact them and if you get a response.
Eric Jacobson
Help to Override the President’s Veto of the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill
What is at stake?
The appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies (Labor-HHS-Ed) is the bill that provides funding for the vast majority of federal disability programs.
Who does this affect?
Millions of people with disabilities, their families/caregivers, and service providers.
Status
November 5 - The House and Senate approved the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Ed conference report bill.WE NEED two thirds of the House and Senate votes to override the veto.
November 13 - President Bush vetoed the bill.
November 15 - The House is expected to vote to override the President's veto. Scheduling of the Senate vote will depend on the results of the House vote.
TAKE ACTION:
Send an email message to your Senators and Representatives TODAY, November 14. Click here to compose and send the email. Please be sure to add some information about your personal interest in disability programs and services to the sample message.
Read an article about the veto, Bush Vetoes Health and Education Bill By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Tuesday vetoed a spending measure for health and education programs prized by congressional Democrats. He also signed a big increase in the Pentagon's non-war budget. The president's action was announced on Air Force One as Bush flew to Indiana for a speech expected to criticize the Democratic-led Congress on its budget priorities. More than any other spending bill, the $606 billion education and health measure defines the differences between Bush and majority Democrats. The House fell three votes short of winning a veto-proof margin as it sent the measure to Bush. Rep. David Obey, the Democratic chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, pounced immediately on Bush's veto. "This is a bipartisan bill supported by over 50 Republicans," Obey said. "There has been virtually no criticism of its contents. It is clear the only reason the president vetoed this bill is pure politics."Click here to read the entire article.
President Bush's veto impacts people with disabilities
President Bush's veto of the the Appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Education has an impact right here in Georgia. Please take the time to make the phone call to our Georgia delegation. In the long run, it will make a difference as we move into this election year.
Immediate Action:Leave a comment if you make the call...
Please call your Congressman and Senators immediately and urge them to vote to override the President's veto and support funding for TBI. In addition to TBI funding, many other critical funds for children, families, caregivers, individuals with disabilities and the aging population are at stake. Congress will be voting tomorrow. The Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121. You can ask to be connected to your Senators and Representative.
This alert was prepared by Susan L. Vaughn, Director of Public Policy, on behalf of the NASHIA Public Policy Committee, chaired by Debra Kamen.
To see NASHIA’s Public Policy Platform click here
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