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More Information ADAPT's summary of the Community Choice Act Text of the Senate bill

Action Alert

Support Community Choice

September 25, 2007-- "Expanding Options for Long Term Care” was the subject of a hearing today before the Senate Finance Committee, focused on the Community Choice Act (H.R. 1621, S. 799). The bill, co-sponsored in the Senate by Tom Harkin (D-IA), proposes a dramatic and welcome improvement in Medicaid coverage.

Hope for Community Integration

For people who require a level of care provided by a nursing home or an institution for individuals with mental illnesses, the bill would require home- and community-based services and supports to be provided as a mandatory Medicaid service. Currently, Medicaid reimburses for services in the community on a much more limited basis than in institutional settings.

The package would include services to help individuals accomplish both activities of daily living and “instrumental activities of daily living,” such as meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping, household chores, phoning and participating in the community. Also covered would be services to help people learn to do these things on their own, through hands-on assistance, supervision and cueing. And states could cover transitional costs to assist individuals in moving from an institutional setting to a community setting, such as rent and utility deposits, bedding, and basic kitchen supplies.

What You Can Do

Educate yourself about the legislation and take any opportunity to inform your Senators and Representative of its potential value to constituents with mental, developmental or physical disabilities.

Senate Finance Committee members:

Max Baucus, MT. (202) 224-2651; Fax: (202) 224-0515

John D. Rockefeller IV, WV. (202) 224-6472; Fax: (202) 224-7665

Kent Conrad, ND. (202) 224-2043; Fax: (202) 224-7776

Jeff Bingaman, NM. (202) 224-5521; Fax: (202) 224-2852

John F. Kerry, MA. (202) 224-2742; Fax: (202) 224-8525

Blanche L. Lincoln, AR. (202) 224-4843; Fax: (202) 228-1371

Ron Wyden, OR. (202) 224-5244; Fax: (202) 228-2717

Charles E. Schumer, NY. (202) 224-6542; Fax: (202) 228-3027

Debbie Stabenow, MI. (202) 224-4822; Fax: (202) 228-0325

Maria Cantwell, WA. (202) 224-3441; Fax: (202) 228-0514

Ken Salazar, CO. (202) 224-5852; Fax: (202) 228-5036

Charles Grassley, IA. (202) 224-3744; Fax: (202) 224-6020

Orrin G. Hatch, UT. (202) 224-5251; Fax: (202) 224-6331

Trent Lott, MS. (202) 224-6253; Fax: (202) 224-2262

Olympia J. Snowe, ME. (202) 224-5344; Fax: (202) 224-1946

Jon Kyl, AZ. (202) 224-4521; Fax: (202) 224-2207

Gordon Smith, OR. (202) 224-3753; Fax: (202) 228-3997

Jim Bunning, KY. (202) 224-4343; Fax: (202) 228-1373

Mike Crapo, ID. (202) 224-6142; Fax: (202) 228-1375

Pat Roberts, KS. (202) 224-4774; Fax: (202) 224-3514

John Ensign, NV. (202) 224-6244. Fax: (202) 228-2193

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