Negotiations for further COVID-19 relief legislation remained on pause last week as lawmakers instead shifted their focus to reported issues at the United States Postal Service (USPS). However, Senate Republicans released details of a new, ‘skinny’ version of the HEALS Act, entitledDelivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Business Act, signaling their legislative priorities when the Senate returns in September. The ‘skinny’ bill focuses on COVID-related liability waivers and $497 billion in funding for education, the post office, and combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Of note to the disability community, the proposed legislation does not include money for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and education services provided by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), and retains the civil rights liability waivers included in the HEALS Act. Both the House and Senate remain on call for a vote if party leaders reach a consensus on further COVID-19 relief legislation during the August recess.
Plain Language:
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have stopped working together on a COVID-19 package for now, but might start again in September when the Senate and House return from their break.
What this means to you:
It is very possible that Congress will not spend any additional money to help people with disabilities and the people who support them. It is also possible that Congress will pass a law that takes away some civil rights protections during COVID-19. You can call or email Congress to tell them about how COVID-19 has changed your life, for example your housing, services, health, school, or work. Every call and email matters.
Action Steps:
Learn more about the Senate Republicans’ proposed ‘skinny’ bill:
Former Vice President Joe Biden was officially chosen as the Democratic nominee for President with Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) as his running mate last week at the Democratic National Convention. The four-day virtual event featured speeches by a litany of party leaders, advocates, and, notably, several former Republican lawmakers.
The Republican National Convention begins today, Monday, 8/24, and will continue through Thursday, 8/27. After several location changes due to COVID-19, the convention will be held through a combination of in-person events in Charlotte, North Carolina and virtual appearances. President Donald J. Trump plans to accept the nomination for his reelection live from the South Lawn of the White House.
Plain Language:
Joe Biden is the Democratic nominee for President and Senator Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee for Vice President. This week, President Trump and Vice President Pence will officially become the Republican nominees for President and Vice President.
What this means to you:
It’s time to think about who you want to vote for in November and make a plan to vote.
Action steps:
Learn more about presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s platform:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) became the focus of both bipartisan frustration and partisan fighting last week in response to reports that the recently-installed postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, was instituting changes to postal operations that have resulted in delayed mail delivery. Many Democratic lawmakers have expressed anxiety that the slowdown is part of a larger Republican initiative to invalidate mail-in voting in November, while many Republican lawmakers have focused on years-long budget shortfalls and structural inefficiency. The postmaster general DeJoy contends that the delays are a result of increased mail during the pandemic and changes to remedy existing budget and structural issues. On Saturday, the House returned from August recess to pass the Delivering for America Act (H.R.8015) with bipartisan support (257-150). The Act prohibits changes to Postal Service operations and provides $25 billion in funding. Senate Republicans have proposed $10 billion in funding for the USPS in their latest COVID-19 relief 'skinny' legislation.
Plain Language:
Many people across the country have noticed that they are getting their mail slower. Lawmakers are trying to figure out why and fix it before the November elections.
What it means to you:
If you plan on voting by mail, it is important that you mail in your ballot early. If you get your medications delivered, it is important that you order as early as possible and track your delivery to avoid missing medications.
Action Steps:
Watch the House Committee on Oversight and Reformhearingwith postmaster general DeJoy today, 8/24, at 10:00 am.
Watch the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Friday, 8/21,hearing with postmaster general DeJoy.
If you plan on voting by mail for the November elections, check your state’s rules for absentee voting and request your absentee ballot as soon as possible. You can do both with this easytool from FiveThirtyEight.
Office of Civil Rights
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) resolved a complaint filed by the Center for Public Representation (CPR) alleging the illegal exclusion of people with disabilities from accessing life-saving treatments for COVID-19 in Utah. The resolution sets new national precedent by making several key changes to the state’s rationing policies:
An individual cannot be excluded or deprioritized from medical treatment based on amount of resources needed or disability diagnosis.
Medical personnel can no longer use "long-term survivability" as a consideration in treatment decisions.
Hospitals must make reasonable modifications to tools used to prioritize access to medical treatment to avoid penalizing people with unrelated underlying conditions.
Reallocations of personal ventilators from patients who use ventilators for their daily life for COVID-19 patients are prohibited.
Plain Language:
Hospitals cannot stop or take away treatment from people with disabilities just because they have disabilities.
What it means to you:
You still have rights if you get sick from COVID-19 or another illness. Contact your state Protection and Advocacy agency if you think you or someone else is being discriminated against because of a disability.
If you think that you or someone you know is being discriminated against in healthcare because of a disability, contact your stateProtection and Advocacyagency.
Voting 2020
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3! If we’re going to make an impact in every election, we have to be registered to vote. Now is the time to confirm your registration status and to register if needed.
“Traditional public schools should be improved and fully funded. Tens of millions of students, including students with disabilities, rely on these schools.”
This week on AUCD Policy Talk, Maria Edelman, former Hill staffer, writes about the importance of fully funding traditional public schools for all students, including those with disabilities.
As we consider the impact of the disability vote on the election, check out a vintage Tuesdays with Liz from 2015. Liz Weintraub interviews Taryn Williams, who was the Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement at the time of the interview. Taryn Williams served as the White House's liaison to the disability community. The interview covers a variety of topics including the Curb Cuts to the Middle Class initiative, access to post-secondary education, and the upcoming anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
COVID-19
United States Postal Service
Office of Civil Rights
Voting 2020
AUCD Policy Talk
