McCain Voices Opposition to Community Choice Act

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain officially announced his opposition to the Community Choice Act--a piece of legislation that would require state Medicaid plans extend coverage to community-based attendant services--at a town hall meeting in Denver, Colorado on Monday.

According to proponents, the legislation--which has a total of 113 co-sponsors in the House and 21 in the Senate--would eliminate the "institutional bias" that currently filters 63% of Medicaid payments towards nursing homes.

McCain voiced his plans not to support to the bill in response to a question from Dawn Russell, a member of the disability-advocacy group ADAPT, which has been one of the most vocal advocates of the legislation.

The group led protests against McCain and the Republican National Committee during their 25th anniversary celebration in late April due to the GOP's lack of support for the Community Choice Act.  During one demonstration,  approximately 40 activists were arrested in front of Senator's McCain's office.

When asked whether he would support the measure, McCain was brisk with his response:

"I will not [support the Community Choice Act] because I don't think it's the right kind of legislation. I'm proud to be one of the many people who were involved in the original Americans With Disabilities Act. We will continue to update it in that way and improve as needed. The Community Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that I support. ... I will continue to communicate with you and I will continue my commitment to all Americans with disabilities."

Video of the meeting can be seen here.  The question occurs around the fifteen minute mark.

Proponents of the Community Choice Act point to statistics that show community based care for seniors and those with disabilities is more cost-effective than nursing home care. A 2005 study found that home care reduced costs by 37% for health care patients.

John McCain's campaign website states that he favors "tough, fair, and responsible choices" in relation to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, which he calls, "our nation's entitlement programs." McCain calls for "comprehensive, bipartisan reform," of these programs.