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VOR 2006 Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative: Complete details,
including program agenda and registration information, is provided below,
or visit: http://vor.net/AnnualMeeting2006.html
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VOR is the only national organization advocating for a full range of
residential and support options for people with mental retardation,
including Medicaid-certified Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally
Retarded (ICFs/MR) and home and community-based care. VOR
supports choice.
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VOR Weekly E-Mail Update
February 3, 2006
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Table of Contents
1. Budget Reconciliation Bill passes by 2 votes - further analysis will be
forthcoming
2. 2006 Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative: Agenda and Registration
Information
============================================================
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1. Budget Reconciliation Bill passes by 2 votes - further analysis will be
forthcoming
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With regret, VOR reports that the Budget Reconciliation Bill (the "Deficit
Reduction Act of 2005") passed by just 2 votes (216-214). It includes -
(A) $39 billion in cuts to Medicaid and other domestic programs.
(B) Money Follows the Person provision
(C) Cash and Counseling
(D) State Plan Amendment process for Home and Community-Based Services
The 13 Republicans who voted with us are: Rep. Gerlach (PA), Rep.Tim
Johnson (IL), Rep. Jones (NC), Rep. LaTourette (OH), Rep. Leach (IA), Rep.
McHugh (NY), Rep.Ney (OH), Rep. Paul (TX), Rep. Ramstad (MN), Rep. Simmons
(CT), Rep.Chris Smith (NJ), Rep. Sweeney (NY) and Rep. Wilson (NM). Source:
Families USA.
All Democrats who were present voted against the bill (Earl Blumenauer
(D-OR) had to leave town for family reasons and did not vote.)
Click here to see the roll call vote and find out how your delegation
voted:
http://ga3.org/ct/g7AHWJs1KR4o/. (Source: Families USA).
In coming weeks, a more detailed analysis will be provided on how these
cuts and provisions will be felt by people with mental retardation. Until
then, feel good about your efforts. As noted by Families USA, "We were able
to drag this process out much longer than we had thought possible and the
Republicans ever expected, and sent a message to our leaders on Capitol
Hill that we will not stand idly by as they cut the programs that
constitute the vital safety net for millions of Americans. Our efforts and
actions over these past months sent a message to those on the Hill, and
while we lost, this long and turbulent process will not soon be forgotten
by those in power who chose to take away funding from America's most
vulnerable populations."
A big thank you to all VOR members who wrote and called throughout the Fall
2005 and early 2006, especially those members in key states. We really
leaned on you to make those calls and you came through. A good number of
those states -- including NJ, PA, IL, TX, OH and NJ -- are represented on
the list of Republicans who voted against the bill.
THANK YOU and STAY TUNED
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2. 2006 Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative: Agenda and Registration
Information
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JOIN US IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Complete program information follows, along
with a registration form. If you are not able to attend, contributions
toward the cost of our DC efforts are very, very needed and appreciated.
DOES OUR PRESENCE IN DC MAKE A DIFFERENCE? This is a common question,
especially by those who take the time and expense to visit Washington, D.C.
annually. The answer is simple: There is nothing superior to face-to-face
meetings with federal elected officials. The value of such meetings are
only enhanced when repeated year after year. Because of these annual visits
and the reliable information provided, VOR is a sought-after resource for
questions on issues and positions. Furthermore, the annual visits by VOR
members/volunteers makes visits by VOR leaders throughout the year far more
effective - meetings can focus on substance rather than introductions
because VOR is known and trusted. Help contribute our growing visibility
and credibility by attending the 2006 Annual Meeting and Washington
Initiative!
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VOR 2006 ANNUAL MEETING AND WASHINGTON INITIATIVE
June 9 -13, 2006
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http://vor.net/AnnualMeeting2006.html
JOIN VOICES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! PLEASE JOIN US!
NEW THIS YEAR!! For the very first time, all participants of VOR's 2006
Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative staying at the Holiday Inn on the
Hill (registration information below) will receive a free buffet breakfast
every day of their stay.We are indebted to the hotel's management for
agreeing to bring some financial relief to our members. Please thank them
when you see them!
PROGRAM AGENDA
Friday, June 9, 2006
1-3 pm
VOR ANNUAL BOARD MEETING -- Open to Members
Friday June 9, 2006
6-9 pm
REPORTS FROM THE STATES
Participate in reports on news from your state. This more casual session,
moderated by VOR Board Members, will be a time for sharing and
participating. Appetizers and beverages will be provided.
Saturday June 10, 2006
9 am - 4 pm
ANNUAL MEETING
"The Power of Grassroots Advocacy in the Legislature, Courts, and Media:
How to develop, nurture, and harness our strengths"
SESSION I: Legislative Advocacy: Connie Garner, Disability Policy Advisory
to Senator Ted Kennedy who will speak about the HOPE Act, a bill that, when
introduced and passed, will enhance opportunities for people with MR to
access health care services. Ms. Garner will speak about the bill, the
process employed to gain support for an idea before it becomes a bill, and
the strategy for passage.
SESSION II: Advocacy in the Courts: Bill Choslovsky of DLA Piper LLC,
attorney to Misericordia (private ICF/DD) families in Ligas v. Maram (filed
by IL P&A) will speak about how he balances his role as a parent, attorney
and advocate, and the effect that publicly-funded organizations, like P&A,
have on developing law and policy in your state.
SESSION III: The Grassroots: Tom Frain, President, Massachusetts Coalition
of Families and Advocates for the Retarded (COFAR) will speak about how
COFAR, a truly grassroots organization evolved into the credible
organization it is today. Mary McTernan, VOR President, and Louise
Underwood, Chair, VOR Legislative Committee, will support Tom during the
question and answer session, drawing from their own national and state
experiences.
Participants to VOR's Annual Meeting will receive a complementary copy of
VOR's Organization and Advocacy Toolkit (October, 2005). Continental
breakfast and catered lunch included.
A REGISTRATION FORM is provided at the end of this update or visit
http://vor.net/RegForm2006.html
Saturday June 10, 2006
NETWORKING DINNER
Optional. Located at the Hyatt Regency (across the street from the Holiday
Inn). Additional cost about $25. Details to be provided to all attendees.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
3 - 7 pm
INITIATIVE BRIEFING
Learn what to do, what to say, and receive folders for distribution to
Congress. For those who have never done this, complete instructions will
be provided and you will learn from experienced attendees.
Begins Monday, June 12, 2006
THE WASHINGTON INITIATIVE
Please plan to spend at least Monday and Tuesday visiting as many Senators
and Representatives as possible. The more workers, the lighter the burden.
Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Social: 6 - 6:30 pm
Reports: 6:30 - 8 pm
DE-BRIEFINGS, NETWORKING, REPORTING
Appetizers and beverages will be provided on Monday evening prior to
de-briefing reports by state spokespersons (identified in advance of the
meeting).
HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Holiday Inn on the Hill
415 New Jersey Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
800-638-1116
Reservations due by May 8, 2006
Group rate: $149 for single or double, plus tax, per night. Mention VOR
for group rate. All meetings will be held at the Holiday Inn on the Hill.
Take advantage of networking with other VOR members by staying here.
Please let us know if you would like to be paired with a roommate if
possible.
Ground Transportation
Taxi cabs and "Super Shuttle" are available at Reagan International
Airport. "Super Shuttle" is $12 per person from Reagan. At the airport
follow signs to "Ground Transportation." Super Shuttle reservations are
required only from the hotel to the airport (800-258-3826). Union Train
Station is just 3 blocks from the hotel.
For more information please contact Tamie Hopp at 605-399-1624 or
vor@compuserve.com
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REGISTRATION FORM (see also: http://vor.net/RegForm2006.html)
I want to personally tell Congress how important Medicaid is for people
with mental retardation. I'll be there!
Send form to Voice of the Retarded 5005 Newport Dr. #108, Rolling Meadows,
IL 60008
Fax: 847-253-6054 vor@compuserve.com * Phone: 847-253-6020 * A
non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
Name(s) __________________________________________
Address __________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________
Home Phone ______________________________________
Work Phone_______________________________________
Email ____________________________________________
Family/professional org/company (if applicable)
__________________________________________________
Charge card: __ MC __ Visa Expires _______
Credit card number __________________________________
Signature __________________________________________
Mark all that apply:
___$50 per person for member registration at the Annual Meeting on
Saturday, June 11 if paid by May 31, 2006 <2006 WASH-REG>
___$60 per person for member registration after 5/31 <2006 WASH-REG>
___$75 per person for non-member registration at the Annual Meeting on
Saturday, June 11 includes one-year membership if paid by May 31, 2006.
<2006 WASH-REG>
___$85 per person for non-member registration after 5/31. Membership
included.
<2006 WASH-REG>
___A donation of $_________is enclosed. <2006 WASH-DONA>
___ I/We will attend the Washington Initiative only
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THANK YOU FOR PLANNING TO JOIN US.
Contact Tamie Hopp at vor@compuserve.com or 605-399-1624 for any questions.
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