ANCOR News - 02.08.18

Keeping Busy on Capitol Hill

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Since Medicaid is not under direct attack on Capitol Hill, ANCOR is seizing this opportunity to advocate a positive, pro-disability message with legislators. Here’s a few items we are actively working on:

♦ The SELF DRIVE Act (HR 3388) – This bipartisan bill was sponsored by Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) passed the House in September 2017 by a voice vote. The legislation opens the door to the use of autonomous vehicles across the US, providing a potentially life-changing transportation option for people with disabilities.

♦ Kevin and Avonte’s Law (HR 4221/S 2070) – Reintroduced by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA) in the House and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (R-NY) in the Senate, Kevin and Avonte’s Law provides law enforcement new training and resources to improve their engagement with people with I/DD.

♦ The EMPOWER Care Act (S 2227) – Introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program to aid states in transitioning individuals to the community and rebalancing their overall long-term services and supports system.

♦ The ANCOR Data Bill – ANCOR is working on crafting our own bill that would capture much needed data on the use and need of Medicaid and non-Medicaid long-term services and supports by the disability population. We think a data bill is an important first step in building the policy case for increased funding and flexibility to accurately solve the DSP workforce crisis.

If you would like more information on this or any of the other federal legislation that ANCOR is working on, please contact Sarah Meek, Director of Legislative Affairs, at [email protected].