Disability Policy News In Brief

April 29, 2019


April 29, 2019 \| Vol. MMXIX, Issue 17

Congress in Session

All members of Congress return to Washington this week following two weeks in their home districts to connect with constituents like you.

Action Steps:

Reach out to their offices this week. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 (voice); 202 224-3091 (TTY)

If your Senators or Representative held a public event, thank them.
If you attended, tell them and share what issues you came to speak about.
If they didn't have an event, express your interest in a future event.
Share what issues you are following

These types of engagement are about building relationships between you and your lawmakers and are essential to making sure your voice is heard in our democracy.

Bills to Watch

The time between now and the August Congressional Recess is prime time for significant progress to be made around key policy issues. AUCD is following multiple issues and encourages you to engage on the issues that match your interest, life and work.

Autism CARES (see details below)
The Disability Integration Act (DIA), (S.117 and HR. 555) would prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports.
The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (S.260 and H. 863) would assist employers providing employment under special certificates issued under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to transform their business and program models to support individuals with disabilities to transition to competitive integrated employment, and would phase out the use of 14 (c) certificates.
The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 651 and H.R. 1814) will increases from 26 to 46 the age for ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts.
The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 ((H.R. 2035; S. 995) reauthorizes the program through FY 2024 at $200 million over five years. The program's purpose is to make quality respite available to family caregivers regardless of care recipient's age or disability through coordinated State Lifespan Respite Systems.

Budget

Congress is in the midst of the budget and appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2020, which starts October 1, 2019. House leaders have not yet moved a bill to set federal spending limits. Hearing directly from constituents about why and how program funding impacts their district is the most important way to impact appropriations, or how much money programs receive.

Action Step:

Educate the Congressional Delegation of your state or territory about requested appropriations to support the programs you care about. Simply email sharing AUCD's language and ask.

Autism CARES 2019

The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in 154 day on September 30, 2019, without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently 14 Senators and 54 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.

Action Steps:

Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
Check the House List and if your Representative has not yet co-sponsored call them and ask them to do so. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121; (voice) 202 224-3091 (TTY)
Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to support and co-sponsor H.R: 1058.
If your Representative is a co-sponsor ask them to support the request that the Energy & Commerce Committee set a date to consider H.R. 1058.
Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to ask the Energy & Commerce Committee to set a date to consider H.R. 1058.

MAPSA Act

The Marriage Access for People with Special Abilities Act (MAPSA)( H.R.1529), would protect the federal benefits of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who wish to legally marry. The bill clarifies that Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits for an individual with ID/DD will not be affected by marital status. When determining these benefits for an individual with ID/DD, only their income and resources will be reviewed, and their spouse's income and assets will not be included. Further, it clarifies that individuals with ID/DD will have access to Medicaid benefits if they qualify for SSI benefits, regardless of income or assets. The bill was introduced by Rep. Katko, [R-NY-24] and is co-sponsored by Rep. Keating [D-MA-9].

Campaign 2020

The following notable candidates are running for president. Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.

Action Steps:

For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legislation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance.
Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.

Joe Biden (D), Former Vice President

Seth Moulton (D), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts

o Co-sponsor of the Autism CARES 2019

o Co-sponsor of the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act

o Co-sponsor of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act

o Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019

Bill Weld (R), Former Governor of Massachusetts

Eric Swalwell (D), U.S. Representative from California

Tim Ryan (D), U.S. Representative from Ohio

· Co-sponsor of the Autism CARES 2019

Beto O'Rourke (D), former U.S. Representative from Texas

Jay Inslee (D), Governor of Washington state

Bernie Sanders (I), U.S. Senator from Vermont