Health & Long-Term Supports and Services

Last updated: 1/7/08

(from 2007 Legislative Agenda)

Health Links

Mental Health Parity Mental Health Liason Group Letter in Support of Passage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity (Dec 2007) [PDF] CLASS Act Legislation – PDF Letter of Support – PDF Supporting Organizations CLASS Act vs. Long-Term Care Insurance – PDF Note: One or more documents on this page may require Acrobat Reader.

The First Session of the 110th Congress should:

• Enact legislation requiring public and private health plans to cover treatment for mental illness on the same terms and conditions as all other medical diagnoses (mental health parity).
  
• Enact the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, which would establish a new nationwide, long-term care insurance program financed through voluntary payroll deductions. This legislation offers people the option of access to affordable long-term services and supports in the community and outside of Medicaid.
  
• Enact legislation to establish a high-quality, universal health care system that meets the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. This system must:
  
  • Be affordable, non-discriminatory, and comprehensive;
    
  • Allow choice of well-trained and experienced providers;
    
  • Be fair, efficient, and consumer-controlled, and include strong consumer protections;
    
  • Promote primary and secondary prevention; and
    
  • Protect existing health care entitlements, such as Medicaid and Medicare.
     
• Fully fund and implement the recommenda-tions of the President’s New Freedom Initiative Commission on Mental Health.
  
• Reject initiatives – such as Health Savings Accounts – that would further segment the insurance market, and proposals – such as Association Health Plans – that would weaken existing state insurance mandates.
  
• Ensure that private long-term care insurance – including policies offered through the Long-Term Care Partnership Program – are affordable and nondiscriminatory to people with disabilities.
  
• Ensure that people have access to affordable prescription drugs by enacting legislation that permits the re-importation of FDA-approved drugs from other countries.
  
• Ensure that legislation and federal initiatives aimed at increasing the use of Health Information Technology are inclusive of persons with disabilities and improve individuals’ with disabilities health, quality of life, and independence.