Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Disability Integration Act, legislation introduced by Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) to help ensure Americans with disabilities are given the option to live independently and access care in their communities rather than being forced into institutional care.
“Remaining at home with the proper supports can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. This bipartisan bill empowers patients by giving them the flexibility and autonomy to choose where they live and receive care. I’ll continue to support legislation that improves access to long-term home care and community support for Americans with disabilities.”
In addition to Senators Cortez Masto, Schumer and Gardner, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also cosponsored this legislation.
Full text of the bill is available here.
BACKGROUND:
The Disability Integration Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports by establishing statutory civil rights language. Under the bill, state and local governments and insurers that pay for institutional care for people with disabilities would have to offer these individuals long-term services and supports (LTSS) in their homes or communities. The legislation would prevent state and local governments and insurers from discriminatory practices, such as restrictive eligibility criteria, caps on cost, waiting lists and the failure to provide a community-based service.
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