-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Stephanie Thomas
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 1999 4:26 PM
To: micasa-list
Subject: MiCASSA introduction approaching quickly



With Olmstead behind us, the time for MiCASSA is fast approaching. The
details of who will be the main sponsor are being worked out now, but in the
mean time we need to educate ALL the legislators about the bill and the
reasons it needs to be passed.

The summer recess is an excellent opportunity to contact your legislators to
talk to them about MiCASSA and get them to understand why this issue is so
important.

In addition to the points we have raised in the past (like the importance of
giving people a choice, the cost effectiveness of community based services,
returning control from Government to the individual, etc.) we now can add
that MiCASSA is an excellent tool for implementing the Supreme Court's
Olmstead decision.  The Supreme Court in this decision said that needlessly
segregating people in institutions was discrimination and that states need
to:

* provide services in an even handed way (Medicaid's current 80% of funds to
institutions is not even handed)

* with a range of services (again, the current system in most places is nto
a real range),

* and state must prove they have a “comprehensive, effectively working plan
for placing [people with disabilities] in less restrictive settings [than an
institution]” (again, no state has this).

MiCASSA would move states in the right direction, so it is in their interest
for MiCASSA to become law.

This time the Senate is showing more interest, so the focus is there first,
but we will eventually need it introduced in both houses of Congress.  The
Senate Finance Committee and the House Commerce Committee will both be key,
so members of these committees are very important.

If anyone needs new copies of the handouts on the new MiCASSA let me know
and I will get them to you (we have sent them out over this list before,
but...)

Keep us posted as to what your Senators and Representative say about
MiCASSA, and any that are interested in being co-sponsors.




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