2009 Disability Days on the Hill

We had a great time in Nashville yesterday at Disability Days on the Hill. We were just one of several organizations that work with individuals with disabilities there meeting with our legislators, discussing important issues to the disability community. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t have a good time and feel that it was time well-spent.

Our main focus fell on two issues: The Open Doors Home Health Care Act and preserving the Family Support Program.

The Open Doors Home Health Care Act (Senate Bill 851/House Bill 1114) is a simple 1-page bill that would remove the 2008 TennCare restrictions on home health care and re-open doors to the community. The current rules generally forbid home health care aides and private duty nurses from leaving an individual’s home while providing services to them. These rules prevent them from taking their clients to church, classes, work, community activities, or even a doctor’s appointment, effectively isolating them from the community and world around them.

The Family Support Program is a program that helps individuals with severe disabilities and their families stay together in their homes and communities. It is a critical service that helps preserve the family unit and lessens pressure that may lead to institutionalization, divorce, neglect, and child abuse. About $1M has already been cut from the program in the current fiscal year and there is talk of cutting as much as an additional $2M more, which would be nearly 40% of the budget cut from one of the state’s most successful program.

We received positive feedback from all the senators and representatives we spoke with. If you weren’t able to make the trip with us yesterday, it’s not too late for your voice to be heard. You can find your legislator here. We encourage you call, email, or write and let your voice be heard.

Check back later for pictures from our trip.