See the VOR Action Alert for a status of the
Sunset Provision Proposals
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VOR Weekly E-Mail Update
July 28, 2006
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Table of Contents
1. Sunset Commission Update
2. Harkin Introduces Bill to Improve Medical Access for People
with
Disabilities
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1. Sunset Commission Update
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Late yesterday (July 27), the House leadership postponed action
on the
Sunset Commission bills until September. A small group of
Republican
moderates are refusing to support H.R. 5766 unless it is
modified. The
House leadership and conservative members of the House have not
agreed to
these changes.
H.R. 5766 and H.R. 3282 were scheduled for a House vote
yesterday (July
27). A broad coalition of advocates strongly opposed passage of
the bill,
including VOR. Many of you responded to VOR's 2 action alerts on
this issue
- YOUR PARTICIPATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE DELAY! THANK YOU.
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2. Harkin Introduces Bill to Improve Medical Access for People
with
Disabilities
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Summary: While in Washington, D.C. this June, VOR members called
upon
Congress to introduce legislation to enhance access to quality
health care
by people with mental retardation. Senator Harkin's bill is most
welcome.
VOR will be studying it closely.
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
July 24, 2006
Harkin Introduces Bill to Improve Medical Access for People with
Disabilities
Legislation Also Creates New Wellness Grant Program and Improved
Training
Guidelines for Physicians
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced
legislation
to establish accessibility standards for medical diagnostic
equipment and
create wellness grants to fund health programs that focus on the
unique
challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
We must recognize the unique situation of individuals with
disabilities and
work to make certain they are not limited in their access to
quality
medical care, or in their opportunities for health and wellness,
Harkin
said. We want to set standards, ensure proper funding, and make
certain
that medical professionals receive the appropriate training so
that they
can provide the best quality care for all.
Harkins Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act
of 2006
also creates a National Advisory Committee on Wellness for
Individuals with
Disabilities. This board would set priorities, review grant
proposals, make
recommendations for funding, and evaluate the progress of the
program.
In addition, the legislation requires medical and dental
schools, along
with their residency programs, to increase training to improve
competency
and clinical skills in providing care to patients with
disabilities,
including those with intellectual disabilities.
The wellness grant program established in the legislation would
help fund
programs for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition and
fitness that
focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with
disabilities;
preventative health screening programs; and athletic or sports
programs
that provide individual with disabilities an opportunity to
increase their
physical activity.
Harkin was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA),
landmark legislation which provides equality of opportunity,
full
participation, independent living, and
economic self-sufficiency for millions of Americans with
physical and
intellectual disabilities.
____________________
Tamie Hopp
