People with disabilities will avoid some health care cuts if the House and Senate agree with what the House Budget Committee passed on March 6 for next year (FY 2009, beginning October 1, 2008). The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently passed some rules that cut off many people with disabilities from […]

Delay is the deadliest form of denial. Many people with severe disabilities apply for Social Security disability benefits, but they have to wait 2 to 3 years for a decision. During that time, without these benefits, people often lose their homes, go without needed medical care, and even die. About 750,000 people are on the […]

New SCI coalition will “speak with one voice” to lawmakers
By Rob Ingraham
In a broad new initiative aimed at coordinating national legislative and policy concerns, nearly 20 leading organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders have formed the Spinal Cord Leaders Council. The coalition will, for the […]

Politics and Disability

Misc.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Talking Politics
NEWSROOM: Showdown on SCHIP
By Peggy Hathaway and Andrew Morris
RESEARCH FRONT: Cooling Therapy and a Buffalo Bill

Features
How a Bill Really Becomes a Law
One of United Spinal Association’s highest priorities this year, the ADA Restoration Act, illustrates the nuts and bolts of how a bill is enacted — and […]

By Peggy Hathaway and Andrew Morris
Showdown on SCHIP
Here, we take a look at how bills affecting you become law using the prism of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restoration Act.
Another bill illustrates how unpredictable Congress can be and how quickly United Spinal Association and other advocates must act — the State […]

One of United Spinal Association’s highest priorities this year, the ADA Restoration Act, illustrates the nuts and bolts of how a bill is enacted — and how important your voice is to the process.
By Peggy Hathaway
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 with overwhelming support from both parties and signed […]

Despite HAVA, controversy continues over secure and accessible systems.
By Rob Ingraham
Few national elections ignited more controversy and ill will than the 2000 presidential election and, to a large extent, the discord turned on the seemingly simple mechanics of casting a vote. Almost two million ballots were disqualifi ed because they registered multiple votes […]

Compiled by Peggy Hathaway
Keeping the Promise to End Unfair Employment Discrimination
Four Congressional leaders have introduced a bill to restore the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to its original intent.
The ADA Restoration Act was introduced in the House and the Senate on July 26, which was the seventeenth anniversary of the ADA with […]

Compiled by Peggy Hathaway
Good News to Help People Live Independently
Class Act
To encourage independence, choice, and empowerment, four powerful Congressional leaders have introduced the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007 to help people cover the cost of long-term services and supports.
The CLASS Act provides for cash benefits for adults with functional disabilities […]

Compiled by Peggy Hathaway

Recent Congressional Action
Congress has been busy on legislation affecting people with disabilities. United Spinal Association is working on the following issues:

• Medicare Independent Living Act of 2007 Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (RMN) have introduced H.R. 1809 to help Medicare recipients obtain the mobility devices they need. […]

When it comes to the fight for mass transit for people with disabilities, United Spinal has always been a leading participant.

By James J. Weisman

In a ceremony at Grand Central Terminal, New York Gov. Mario Cuomo signs a settlement agreement outlining specific steps to make New York City’s transportation system more accessible to people with […]

Stem Cell Bill Passes Senate
On April 11, 2007, the Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S.5) by a vote of 63 to 34. Research using embryonic stem cells is enormously promising for finding cures for spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and many other conditions. This bill would lift the federal […]

Social Security Underfunded Again
United Spinal urges members to act NOW before Congress votes on the 2008 Budget. The Proposed Federal Budget for 2008 again grossly underfunds the Social Security Administration (SSA) and makes other cuts that will hurt seniors and people with disabilities.
Outrageous delays and unanswered calls at Social Security offices are […]

Walter Reed: Symptom of a More Serious Condition
Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., which is operated by the Department of Defense (DoD), is one of the military’s premiere medical centers. Although the care provided there is among the finest available, recent headlines have focused on deteriorating outpatient housing facilities that pose hazards to […]

Turn those tax blues into breaks.
By Tom Scott
Tax season is once again upon us. Before you prepare to file your return you may want to ask yourself if you really know your entitlements as a person with a disability. There are income exclusions, tax deductions, and credits available to people with spinal […]

In this issue of Action, we focus on the advances in pharmaceutical research that improve our quality of life. One undeniable obstacle faced by many of our members is affordable access to these life-altering medications.
For instance, a prominent physician from a world-class rehabilitation center recently contacted me to express his concern that Ditropan (Oxybutynin), […]

Employment Discrimination: The ADA Needs You!
Many people with disabilities want to work and are able to work, but they find that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not protect them in the workplace. While the ADA was intended to protect people from employment discrimination, the courts have eroded its employment protections. At press […]

New Fiscal Year VA Budget: Same Old Problems
For many veterans, bringing a successful claim for VA disability compensation is the gateway to receiving critical VA health care. The longer it takes for the VA to make a decision over a veteran’s claim, the longer it will take that veteran to receive VA health care, […]

Now that research has shown its positive effect on neuropathic pain and even spasticity, some people with spinal cord disorders are joining the fight to legalize medical cannabis.

Julie Falco (Photo by Paul Meredith)

By Lori A. Wood
Proponents of medicinal marijuana have credited it with the alleviation of everything from chemotherapy- induced […]

Our offices are buzzing over the potential of our new Congress and we’re hopeful that Democrats and Republicans will come together to push for legislation benefiting our members and all Americans with disabilities.