Moore Urges Colleagues to Support Disabilities Legislation

Moore Urges Colleagues to Support Disabilities Legislation
Highlights importance of community-based care under Medicaid

Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) urged his colleagues in Congress to support several important pieces of legislation that would give people with disabilities the tools they need to achieve true independence and self-sufficiency, including H.R. 910, the Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Support Act, H.R. 3063, the Money Follows the Person Act, and H.R. 1554, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act. Moore is a cosponsor of all three bills.

"By not helping people with limited mobility, we are restricting their rights as individuals and doing our nation a great disservice," Moore said. "It is imperative that we craft policies and practices that improve the quality of life and long-term health status of all individuals. I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in cosponsoring these important bills."

Moore recently met with Rick Davidson, an Olathe resident and advocate for disability issues, who highlighted the importance of home-based care as an alternative to traditional nursing homes. During their meeting, Davidson emphasized the independence and active lifestyle that home and community-based care would give him, including attending school and shopping. Davidson was injured in a motorcycle accident December 12, 1987, which left him paralyzed from the neck down and relying on a ventilator to breathe.

"Individuals should have the option to receive services in their own homes," Moore said. "MiCASSA, for example, would fundamentally change our long-term care system and the institutional bias that now exists by giving individuals the flexibility and independence to choose where and how they receive services."

Moore has consistently supported efforts that give all Americans full access to opportunity and the chance to succeed. He recently cosigned a letter to HHS Secretary Leavitt, requesting modification of Medicare's in-the-home restriction, which limits coverage of things like wheelchairs and walkers, denying them the ability to work or participate in community activities.

H.R. 3063, the Money Follows the Person Act, would provide grants to states to conduct demonstration projects enabling Medicaid-eligible individuals to receive long-term care services in the settings of their choice. H.R. 1554, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act, would expand and coordinate NIH activities on paralysis research and provides federal funding to establish paralysis registries and disseminate information to the public.

http://www.moore.house.gov/nr.asp?nr_id=348