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Action Alert Archive
Critical
Medicaid Support for Katrina Victims
Recognizing the desperate needs for mental health services of many thousands
of people dispossessed by Hurricane Katrina, Congress postponed its consideration
of Medicaid cuts until mid-October and a bipartisan group of Senators has introduced
emergency health care relief legislation. The Grassley-Baucus Emergency Health
Care Relief Act uses Medicaid to meet the needs of Katrina survivors. (9-20-05)
Congress
Delays Budget Review in Wake of Katrina
September 9, 2005 – In the face of Gulf Coast devastation,
a bipartisan group of Senators this week condemned efforts to
weaken the federal safety- net
program that provides health care to vulnerable populations and called for
Congress to focus instead on the short- and long-term needs of
Hurricane Katrina victims.The
House and Senate have agreed to postpone reconciliation until Mid October.
Calls to lawmakers are still important.
Act
Now to Save Critical Medicaid Services
September
1,2005- Congress returns from its August recess on Tuesday, September
6 poised to make decisions on Medicaid that will have a far-reaching
impact on all state and local mental health services. The Administration
has proposed changes to Medicaid that would have a crippling
effect on the provision of community mental health services for children
and adults.
Call key Senators today!
Proposed
Federal Regulations Endanger Students with Disabilities
August 30.2005--The Department of Education
invites public comment on draft regulations for implementing the Individuals
with Disabilities
Education Improvement Act, signed into law by the President
at the end of last year. The Act (P.L. 108-446) reauthorized the
federal
special
education law (IDEA) that gives children with disabilities
the right to a free and appropriate public education. Comments
on the regulations
must be submitted by 5 pm on September 6.
Action Needed to Stem Loss of Housing
August
22, 2005-Critical housing resources for low-income people are again
at risk as Congress works to cut spending. Protections against discrimination
based on disability are also threatened. Lawmakers need your support
to resist the Bush Administration's efforts to cut funding and
roll back legal protections in current housing programs.
Urge
Congress to Reject the Administration=s Proposed Changes to Medicaid
Law August
18, 2005 Action Alert C The
Bush Administration has just sent Congress proposed language to
amend the definitions of Medicaid rehabilitation and targeted case
management
services, two core elements of public community mental health systems.
The changes, if enacted, could make it impossible for states and
localities to bill Medicaid for intensive community-based services
for adults
with serious mental illness and children with serious mental or emotional
disorders.
Update on Mental Health-Related
Legislation August 10, 2005—Congress has adjourned for its
annual August break, to resume work September 6 on budget reconciliation,
appropriations and other bills. The recess offers an excellent
opportunity to call on Senators and Representatives in their states
and districts
and explain how important their votes on these measures will be
for children and adults with mental disorders.
Roberts Nomination
Poses Threat for People with Disabilities August 2, 2005—The nomination of John Roberts
for the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice O’Connor’s
retirement poses serious concerns for people with disabilities. In
hearings scheduled to begin September 6, the Senate Judiciary Committee
will question Roberts about his record. The committee’s members
and all Senators need to learn more about his views on civil rights
with disabilities before being asked to confirm his nomination to
the Supreme Court.
Ask Senators to Fund Housing Programs Adequately
July 7, 2005—On June 30th, members of the House of Representatives
responded to your calls and emails to restore funding and programs
for low-income housing that the Administration wanted eliminated (see
our June
14 Action Alert). The programs remain at risk, however, when the
Senate considers the Administration’s proposed housing budget
on July 12-14. Your further efforts will be critical. Take
Action Now...
What Justice O'Connor's Resignation Means for Disability Rights
July 7, 2005—Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated
to the Supreme Court by President Reagan with an eye toward consensus
among
the political parties. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 99-0 vote.
We hope President Bush will similarly choose a consensus nominee to
replace her. Take Action Now...
Act Now to
Save Housing Resources!
June 14, 2005 – The House Subcommittee
responsible for allocating funds to federal housing programs will make
their decisions tomorrow,
Wednesday, June 15. At risk are thousands of rental vouchers, operating
funds for Housing Authorities and financial support for nonprofit housing
providers throughout the country. Take
Action Now...
The New Asylums
May 9, 2005—Tomorrow night, PBS’s Frontline program turns
the national spotlight on a disturbing trend: How, each year, thousands
of Americans with mental illnesses cycle in out of the criminal and juvenile
justice system, punished for the mental health system’s failure
to provide crucial services and supports that can help them lead more
successful lives in the community. Before you see the show, do something
to help solve the problem. Take Action Now...
Slash and Burn Budget Clears
Congress
April 29, 2005—Last night, the Congress approved its budget
resolution, which sets spending guidelines for fiscal year 2006.
Its approval clears the
way for billions in cuts to the Medicaid program, the single most significant
source of public financing for mental health services, and for freezing spending
on other domestic discretionary programs, including mental health programs,
for three years. Read the Update...
Tell Harry Reid: Don’t
Back Down
April 27,2005—Senate majority leader Bill Frist made clear yesterday that
he’s willing to go against the weight of public opinion to push through
radical judicial nominees like Terrence Boyle and Bill Pryor. The Bazelon Center
and ADA Watch/the National Coalition for Disability Rights need your help to
urge minority leader Harry Reid to stand just as strongly against confirmation
of these judicial activists. Take Action Now...
Medicaid Matters: You Did
It! But You're Not Done Yet...
April 27,2005—Thanks to your efforts, lawmakers last night
voted overwhelmingly to urge House negotiators to strike Medicaid
cuts from the final budget resolution.
Unfortunately, the attacks on crucial services and supports for people with
mental or psychiatric disabilities are coming fast and furiously,
and we still need
your help! Take Action Now...
Medicaid Matters
April 26, 2005—Last month, you helped secure a Senate victory
on Medicaid. Now the Bazelon Center needs your help to stop a slash
and burn budget resolution
in the House that would make deep and indiscriminate cuts to Medicaid. Take
Action Now...
Illini, Fight for Rights!
April 26, 2005—Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is well known as
a defender of the rights of people with disabilities, but his comments
yesterday raise the specter that he may waver in the fight to block
Senate
confirmation of radical judges who have undermined bedrock civil rights
protections for tens of millions of Americans with mental and physical
disabilities. Help us remind Senator Durbin that now is no time to
compromise disability rights for political expediency. Take Action Now...
Beat Back a Double-Barreled Assault
on Disability Rights
April 22, 2005—The stage is set for a double-barreled assault
on the rights of tens of millions Americans with disabilities as
early as next week. Once again,
the Bazelon Center and ADA Watch/National Coalition for Disability Rights need
your help to stop the confirmation of two radical judges whose decisions have
undermined bedrock civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities
from discrimination. Take Action Now...
People with Disabilities Deserve
Their Day in Court
April 20, 2005—Tomorrow the Senate Judiciary Committee will
likely vote on the controversial nomination of Terrence Boyle to
the Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeals. The Bazelon Center and ADA Watch/National Coalition for Disability
Rights need your help to stop Boyle cold. Take Action Now...
Just Say No to Reckless Medicaid
Cuts
(March 15, 2005)—The Bazelon Center urgently needs your help to block indiscriminate
and irresponsible cuts to the Medicaid program—the nation’s single
most significant source of financing for mental health services. Take
Action Now...
Get Steamed Over Boyle
(Feb. 24, 2005)-We need your help to defend the rights of Americans with mental
and physical disabilities. On Thursday, March 3rd, the Senate Judiciary Committee
will hold hearings on the confirmation of Terrence Boyle, a judicial nominee
with a record of ruling against civil rights protections for people with disabilities.
If confirmed, this judicial activist would have a lifetime appointment to undermine
laws protecting tens of millions of Americans with disabilities. Take
Action Now...
Tell Lawmakers: "Hands
Off Help for People with Mental Disabilities!"
(2/4/05)—The Bush Administration is considering drastic changes
to Medicaid and Social Security, two programs that are critically important
to millions of Americans with mental disabilities. Let your lawmakers
know that you oppose any "reform" that comes at the expense
of people with mental illnesses and other disabilities. Take Action Now...
Urge Your Senators to Pass the Family Opportunity Act
(2/4/05)—The Bush Administration is considering drastic changes
to Medicaid and Social Security, two programs that are critically important
to millions of Americans with mental disabilities. Let your lawmakers
know that you oppose any "reform" that comes at the expense
of people with mental illnesses and other disabilities. Take Action Now...
Take Action to End Juvenile Injustice
in California
(Jan. 26, 2005)—Hundreds of California children are warehoused
in juvenile detention centers awaiting access to scare community
mental health services,
according to a new Congressional report. We need your help to put an end to
this barbaric practice and help children access the help they need.
Help Keep Ohio Families Together
(Jan. 26, 2005)—You can help put an end to the cruel choice faced by
hundreds of Ohio families: give up custody of their child to obtain state-funded
mental health services or forgo the help their child needs.
Protect Disability Rights in
the Courts
(Jan. 19, 2005)—The Bazelon Center needs your help to prevent
Senate confirmation of two controversial judicial nominees with
a record of arguing to limit civil
rights protections for people with disabilities!
