How important is health care reform to you? United Spinal Association believes that national health care reform is important to all Americans. 
There is presently a great amount of political activity on this vital issue. The House & Senate are currently debating health care reform so action on your part is required immediately. Now more than ever, your voice is needed. We urge you to call your Senators and Representative and tell them to support national health care reform now.
New provisions such as the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports) would create a national, voluntary disability insurance program that would provide benefits based on the level of disability to purchase services and supports to help with activities of daily living that are needed to maintain community living and independence.
Major proposals in the House and Senate have some provisions in common that will make quality, affordable health insurance far more available to people with disabilities and chronic conditions.
The proposals: 
Require health insurers to provide the same coverage and charge the same premiums to people no matter what their disability or other pre-existing conditions. Currently, unless they have employer-sponsored plans, people with disabilities are often denied coverage altogether, the policies exclude needed services or the premiums are way too costly.
Prohibit life-time caps on coverage. Currently many insurance companies have a lifetime benefit of $1 million. People with serious injuries or conditions often quickly exceed this cap due to lengthy hospital stays or extensive rehabilitation.
Require health insurance to cover rehabilitation and habilitative services including wheelchairs and other Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics and Orthotic Supplies.
Long-Term Services and Supports.
People with disabilities and chronic conditions need long-term services and supports in the home and community. For many, the only alternative is to spend down enough to qualify for Medicaid and go into a nursing home or other institution.
The Senate HELP Committee bill includes the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. The CLASS Act will establish a voluntary payroll deduction plan so that people with disabilities will be able to pay for assistance with activities of daily living. As a result, they could remain in their homes and off of the Medicaid program. We urge its inclusion in final health care reform legislation. Official cost estimates show that in the first ten years, the CLASS Act will have a positive impact on the federal treasury of $57.8 billion and will save Medicaid $2.5 billion.
Community Choice Act. Now, people with disabilities on Medicaid are often forced to go into a nursing home or other long –term care institution to receive needed services. The Community Choice Act would reverse this bias and make home and community-based services the first choice for Medicaid recipients.
Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) are working for health care reform legislation to either make the Community Choice Act a Medicaid option for states or require a demonstration of the Community Choice Act to show that community living is less costly and better for people who use Medicaid. We urge support of either option.
You Make The Difference!
Through our hard hitting disability advocacy program to our one-of-a-kind events such as Kids Sports Spectacular and the Disability Summit, United Spinal creates opportunities and improves the lives of paralyzed Americans. Your support and donations make a difference.
Make a donation today.
Peggy (Margaret V.) Hathaway
Vice-President for Public Policy
United Spinal Association
phathaway@unitedspinal.org
