InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc. (IAC)

Help Winifred Schiff get more signatures - 81 are still needed! Bill de Blasio: Name one of the three new Staten Island Ferry boats "Bernard Carabello"

Due to your hard work, we are on our way to a LIVING WAGE for the DSP's we depend on 24/7 but we're not there yet! Get ready for round two of !

For 35 years, she’s been a gift in the lives of people with disabilities Velma Smith came to the Waterside Residence in Manhattan 35 years ago. Every day she is just as passionate about being here as she was the moment she arrived...

A Bike for Every Kid A Brooklyn bike shop owner starts a foundation to give adaptive bicycles to special-needs children. For every flat she fixes, she makes a donation.

illustrates how cutting Medicaid would harm New Yorkers w/ disabilities https://tinyurl.com/yc2dtrue

http://disabilitypridenyc.org/

HEY EVERYBODY....TAKE ACTION NOW!!!

Things on the national health care and Medicaid front have taken a dire turn and we could see a vote on a modified health care proposal in the House as early as tomorrow!

The proposal has won the support of the conservative House Republican Freedom Caucus – which heightens the chances significantly that the bill could pass. As explained below, the only way to stop this legislation is to ensure that moderate and centrist Republicans oppose the measure. So, the work those of you represented by these Members are doing is extremely important – especially in the next 24-48 hours.

While Republican House members have been quite supportive of people with developmental disabilities, they clearly do not understand the damage that the AHCA (also called Trumpcare/Ryancare) would have on New York State Medicaid and supports and services for people with developmental disabilities and some even think it helps! In fact, the annual cut to NYS Medicaid would be approximately $3billion and supports and services for people with developmental disabilities would be cut. It could eliminate the salary increase that we fought so hard to get. When faced with $3billion in cuts and powerful constituencies like hospitals and nursing homes, supports and services for people with developmental disabilities will face cuts and probably significant cuts.

Therefore, New York's Congressional members MUST hear from you today!

Keep calling! 1-844-898-1199. It makes a difference - we saw it work in March! We want all members of Congress to hear from constituents,
but it is especially important if you are represented by one of the following because we do not have promises from them to vote "no":

• John Faso (Hudson Valley)
• Peter King (Long Island)
• Elise Stefanik (Watertown and Saratoga Springs)
• Claudia Tenney (Binghamton and Utica) - tell her that this bill would be devastating and she was given bad information when she was told it was good for people with disabilities.

Call your Congressional Representative and tell them:
• I am a constituent and I urge you to oppose the AHCA!
• Medicaid supports 90% of the services provided to people with developmental disabilities.
• The AHCA would be devastating to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families in your district.


The original bill would have gutted Medicaid to pay for billions in tax cuts for millionaires and would have asked some Americans to pay more than they earn in a year for health insurance.
Shockingly, the new bill is even worse. .

Specifically, the bill:
• Still causes 24 million people to lose coverage: 1 in 10 non-elderly people who would otherwise have insurance would lose it.
• Still effectively ends the ACA Medicaid expansion.
• Still cuts $840 billion from Medicaid over 10 years, with most of the savings going to wealthy people and insurance, pharmaceutical, and other corporations.
• Still increases premiums and deductibles for marketplace consumers, with total out-of-pocket costs increasing by an average of $3,600 – and far more for older people, lower-income people, and people in high-cost states.


If possible, please visit their staff at the district office.


Please contact your COPA team for further information or questions.
Barbara, Wini & JR

Barbara Crosier
Vice President, Government Relations
Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS
3 Cedar Street Extension, Suite 2
Cohoes, NY 12047
Phone: (518) 436-0178, Ext. 104
Cell: (518) 424-3198
Fax: (518) 436-8619
E-mail: [email protected]

John R Drexelius, Jr.
Government Relations Counsel,
DDAWNY
Law Office of John R. Drexelius, Jr.
PO Box 141
Buffalo, NY 14223
(716) 316- 7552
Fax: 716-875-7552
E-mail: [email protected]

Winifred Schiff
Associate Executive Director for Legislative Affairs
InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc.
150 West 30th Street 15th floor
New York, NY 10001
Office - 212-645-6360
Cell - 917-750-1497
E-mail: [email protected]


COPA - Coalition of Provider Associations
3 Cedar Street Extension, Suite 2
Cohoes, NY 12047
(518) 436-0467
[email protected]
www.copanys.org

Linda says it all....

New York Nonprofit Media: Special needs providers are still not fully supported The essential news source for New York's nonprofit industry.

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