Community Choice Act: A Summary

The Community Choice Act gives people real choice in long term care options by reforming Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid. by ending the institutional bias. The Community Choice Act allows individuals eligible for Nursing Facility Services or Intermediate Care Facility Services for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR. the opportunity to choose instead a new alternative, "Community-based Attendant Services and Supports". The money follows the individual! In addition, by providing an enhanced match and grants for the transition to Real Choice before October 2011 when the benefit becomes permanent, the Community Choice Act offers states financial assistance to reform their long term service and support system to provide services in the most integrated setting.

Specifically, what does this bill do?

1. Provides community-based attendant services and supports ranging from assistance with:

activities of daily living (eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring) ,
instrumental activities of daily living (meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping, household chores, phoning, participating in the community) ,

and health-related functions.

HR 5772 The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008

The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 (H.R. 5772) was introduced to increase the number of housing units for low income persons with disabilities.

Section 811 is a critical federal program that assists the lowest income people with serious and long-term disabilities to live independently in the community by providing integrated affordable rental housing linked with voluntary services and supports.

HR 3074 Housing and Transportation Budget 2008

HR 3074, Housing and Transportation budget for 2008. The paper reports the Senate voted 88-7 to pass the bill without proposed cuts in services sought by President George W. Bush.

Pertinent Spending on Housing is as follows:

Provides $16.3 Billion for tenant based assistance, allocated as follows:

$14.7 Billion for Section 8 renewals
$150 Million for Section 8 relocation/replacement
$48 Million for family self-sufficiency coordinators
$30 Million for incremental vouchers for non-elderly people with disabilities
$6.9 Million to the Working Capital Fund
$1.3 Billion for administrative expense

HR 126.4

Attention Guardians, Parents, Self-Advocates:

Legislation is currently pending in Congress that would provide direct support professionals an increase in basic pay.

Did you know your home care assistant is paid at a lower rate than other professionals providing similar services?

In fact, people who care for dogs, cats, fish and zoo animals are generally paid a higher wage than direct support professionals! Is this how the government views caring for individuals with disabilities?

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