N.O.D. Vice Chairman Christopher Reeve Supports Free Our People Marchers

National Organization on Disability Vice Chairman Christopher Reeve today shared a statement endorsing the goals of the Free Our People March. The Rally concludes a 144-mile four-state, 14-day march from Philadelphia by more than 200 disability advocates. It calls for the Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2003 (MiCASSA, a.k.a. S 971 and HR 2032) and the rights of people with disabilities and older adults to live as independently as possible in their communities, rather than being put in nursing homes and institutions against their will.

Reeve notes that 70 percent of Medicaid long term care dollars go to institutional services, leaving 30 percent to cover all community-based services. MiCASSA will allow individuals eligible for Nursing Facility Services the choice to use these dollars for "Community Attendant Services and Supports." The money would follow the individual and the choice of care that would work best for them. MiCASSA covers individuals' transition costs from a nursing facility to a home setting; serves individuals with incomes above the current institutional income limitation; and provides for quality assurance programs.

"Thank you for your courageous march," was Reeve's message to the participants. "You are giving a voice to the two million Americans currently residing in nursing homes and other institutions who would like the choice to live independently. I have been fortunate that I could stay in my home with my family. I believe MiCASSA can keep families together at a time they need each other most."

The Christopher Reeve Letter:

September 15, 2003

Dear Free Our People Marchers:

I would like to express my strong support for the Free Our People March and Rally and the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act (MiCASSA), S. 971 and H.R, 2032.

I understand that more than 200 disability rights supporters from 35 states are marching from Philadelphia to Capitol Hill to call attention to and build support for MiCASSA, Money Follows the Person and Medicaid Reform without block grants. While I am sorry I could not join you, please know I encourage passage of these bills that will help give disabled and older Americans a choice of home or community based long term care, rather than institutionalization in a nursing home.

As you all know, our current long-term services system has a strong institutional bias. Seventy percent of Medicaid long term care dollars go to institutional services, leaving 30% to cover all the community based services. MiCASSA allows individuals eligible for Nursing Facility Services the choice to use these dollars for "Community Attendant Services and Supports." Basically, the money would follow the individual and the choice of care that would work best for them.

MiCASSA covers individuals' transition costs from a nursing facility to a home setting; serves individuals with incomes above the current institutional income limitation; and provides for quality assurance programs which promote consumer control and satisfaction.

Thank you for your courageous march. You are giving a voice to the two million Americans currently residing in nursing homes and other institutions who would like the choice to live independently. I have been fortunate that I could stay in my home with my family. I believe MiCASSA can keep families together at a time they need each other most.

Thank you for making your voices heard in such a heroic manner. I wish I were with you.

Sincerely,

Christopher Reeve