The passage of the Affordable Health Care Act by the House of Representatives on November 7, paves the way for a number of disability-related reforms. The bill, which passed 220-215, has a tough road ahead in the Senate, as many Congressional Republicans have stated their opposition. The legislation has a number of crucial components that will affect Americans with disabilities, some of which disability advocacy groups have been lobbying in support of for years.
(1) No more exclusions for pre-existing conditions
If the bill passes in the Senate, it will forbid insurance companies from discriminating against applicants on the basis of pre-existing conditions. There are currently over 47 million Americans living without health insurance, a large number of whom have disabilities.
(2) Inclusion of the Community First Choice Option (CFC)
First introduced to Congress in 1997 as the MiCASA act, The CFC has been a major lobbying point for disability advocates for close to two decades. The legislation would eliminate the institutional bias that makes it difficult for individuals to use their Medicaid payments for community-based attendant care instead of nursing homes. According to a fact sheet from Senator Tom Harkin, who has been one of the strongest proponents of the bill, "The cost of providing services at home or in the community is much lower than in an institutionalized setting."
Though the Community First Choice Option wasn't written into the House bill, the House did include a state of support for the provision, meaning that it will likely be included in the Senate bill.
(3) The Class Act
The Class Act would create a national disability insurance program and is explicitly included in the House bill. Under this framework, all employees would be automatically included in the program, but allowed to wave enrollment. The insurance would be paid for by payroll deductions and monthly premiums, and benefits would be provided based on the severity of disability and the accommodations an individual needs to sustain independence. According to the alliance for the retired Americans, the legislation “promotes the principles of independence, choice, and empowerment in a fiscally responsible way, and amplifies nationwide discussions about the serious long-term care challenges we face."
What Can You Do?
Though the date for the Senate vote has yet to be set, it’s likely to occur before Christmas. If you want your voice to be heard, call your legislators and tell them you support the Class Act, the CFC and other pro-disability provisions. You can contact your representatives by calling the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
