New Federal Bill of Interest
Rosa’s Law –Let’s get rid of the “R” word
After the unacceptable comments by Rohm Emanuel and Rush Limbaugh in February of 2010 we all need to speak up. A great way to get your thoughts known is to let your legislators in Washington know you support Rosa’s Law. The purpose of Rosa’s Law is to replace the terms “mental retardation and mentally retarded” with “intellectual disability and individual with an intellectual disability”.
Rosa’s Law was introduced in the Senate by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D – MD) and Michael Enzi (R- WY) in November 2009 as S2781. There are 28 co-sponsors in the Senate (no co-sponsors presently from Illinois). On 1-27-2010 it was introduced into the House as HR 4544 by Rep Michael E. McMahon (NY). There are presently 2 co- sponsors in the House (both from NH). 30 National organizations support Rosa’s Law including NADS.
Our culture has taken a medical term used to describe people who have cognitive challenges and turned it into a way to demean and make fun of people who they consider behaving in a “stupid” manner. We all know people with cognitive disabilities are not stupid. Let’s not allow one person to use a term to make fun of people and someone else to use the same term to describe our loved ones. If you agree please join us in contacting you legislator and asking them to support S2781 (in the Senate) and HR 4544 in the House.
Find your Wisconsin Legislator
Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act
(previously known as the Brownback Kennedy Bill)
The request is for $25 million over 5 years. Funding will ensure that parents receiving a diagnoses of their unborn or newly born child will be provided with up- to- dated, scientific information regarding life expectancy, clinical course, intellectual and functional development and prenatal and post natal treatment options.
This bipartisan bill was unanimously signed into law on October 8, 2008. Currently we are requesting our legislators to sign on to the McMorris- Rodgers Approriations letter, circulated by Rep Kathy McMorris – Rodgers.
Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 (ABLE)
Senate Bill: S493
House Bill: HR1205
- To encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence, and quality of life.
- To provide secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, the supplemental security income program under title XVI of such Act, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources
Down syndrome Caucus
The mission of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus is to educate members of Congress and their staff about Down syndrome. The Caucus will support legislative activities that would improve Down syndrome research, education and treatment and promote public policies that would enhance the quality of life for those with Down syndrome” per website of Rep Cathy McMorris – Rodgers (WA) mcmorris.house.gov
Please consider contacting your legislator in Washington and make sure he or she has signed Rep McMorris – Rodgers letter.
21 Act
This piece of legislation is meant to correct the significant oversight of not including Down syndrome in The Children’s Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-310). The 21 Act will “ attempt to incorporate Down syndrome as an area of permissible research and surveillance at the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will foster a better understanding of Down syndrome.”
Introduced to the House by Rep. Cathy McMorris (R) (WA-5) Rodgers on 9/25/09. House: HR 3656; Senate by Sen. Sam Brownback (R) (KS) on 10/7/09 Senate: S1762
Disability News
Join journalist Patricia E. Bauer as she seeks to bring you the best information about what’s happening now and what it may mean for you and your loved ones. This website attempts to aggregate news and commentary about disability, and to document the efforts of people who are seeking new ways to address familiar challenges.
