Disability advocacy organizations, including ADAPT and ACI have been advocating for passage of the federal Disability Integration Act of 2019. This proposed federal legislation ensures that any insurance company willing to provide institutional support would also be required to cover home and community based support for individuals with long term services and supports. When enacted, this law will allow individuals the option of obtaining those needed services in their home or community rather than in an institutional or segregated residential setting. In January, the Disability Integration Act was reintroduced in US Senate (Bill no. S 117) and in the US House of Representative (Bill No. H.R. 555).
Visit disabilityintegrationact.org for more information.
Senator Cory Booker, and Representatives Donald Payne Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman and Chris Smith have signed their names onto this important bi-partisan (support from Republicans and Democrats) legislation, and we want to thank them. However, several lawmakers from NJ who have not yet publicly supported the Disability Integration Act, including Senator Robert Menendez, Rep. Frank Pallone (6th Congressional District) and Rep. Mikie Sherril (11th Congressional District).
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1) Contact Senator Robert Menendez office by email or phone.
Visit menendez.senate.gov/contact for his contact information.
When calling Senator Menendez, here is a SAMPLE script that you can use:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a person with a disability (or work for a disability organization or have a family member with a disability.
I live in ___________________(your town/zip code).
I am calling to ask Senator Menendez _____________ to sign on as a cosponsor to the Disability Integration Act S. 117.
S. 117 allows people with disabilities to choose to receive needed services in the community rather than through nursing homes or institutions.
Can I count on the Senator's support?
If you prefer to email, here is a SAMPLE email letter:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a person with a disability (or work for a disability organization or have a family member with a disability.
I live in ___________________(your town/zip code). I am writing to ask Senator Menendez _____________ to sign on as a cosponsor to the Disability Integration Act S. 117.
S. 117 allows people with disabilities to choose to receive needed services in the community rather than through nursing homes or institutions.
Can I count on the Senator's support?
2) Contact your Representative by email or phone.
Visit house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find your Member of Congress.
(Staffers answers the phone. If you call his Washington office, request to speak to the healthcare policy person).
If you call your Members of Congress, here is SAMPLE script that you can use:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a person with a disability (or work for a disability organization or have a family member with a disability.
I live in ___________________(your town/zip code).
I am calling to ask Congresswoman (Congressman)_____________ to sign on as a cosponsor to the Disability Integration Act HR 555.
HR 555 allows people with disabilities to choose to receive needed services in the community rather than through nursing homes or institutions.
Can I count Congresswoman (Congressman) ______________ support?
If you prefer to email, here is A SAMPLE email to use:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a person with a disability (or work for a disability organization or have a family member with a disability.
I live in ___________________(your town/zip code). I am calling to ask Congresswoman (Congressman) _____________ to sign on as a cosponsor to the Disability Integration Act H.R. 555.
H.R. allows people with disabilities to choose to receive needed services in the community rather than through nursing homes or institutions.
Can I count on the Representative's ___________________ support?
If you call the Senator's or Representative Washington office, ask to speak with the health care policy person or their email address if they are not available.
Please contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org or 732-738-4388 and let him know who you contacted and what response was given or if you have any questions.
