Home





				M C I L Journal

				MCIL Journal 2007
				MCIL Journal 2006
				MCIL Journal Index

The Memphis Center for Independent Living Journal

HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPROVE MEDICAL ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

MONDAY, JULY 24, 2006

(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.”

Harkin’s “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.

MCIL Journal Index 2006

	Date	Name
	12/30/2006	Reform Commission Issues Final Report
	12/24/2006	HHS Launches New Website Promoting Long-Term Care Planning
	12/20/2006	TennCare Budget
	12/19/2006	COMBATTING AUTISM ACT
	12/15/2006	NCD Commends Adoption of UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
	12/9/2006	Medicaid Prescription Drug Plan
	12/5/2006	Congress Extends Mental Health Parity Provision for Additional Year
	11/20/2006	Housing Victory - Steve Gold
	11/16/2006	ADAPT NASMD Action.
	11/14/2006	Testimony to the Medicaid Commission by Executive Director John Lancaster.
	11/1/2006	ADAPT CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTORY WITH STARBUCKS!
	10/31/2006	ACTION ALERT: STARBUCKS.
	10/23/2006	Report Refutes Claims of Elections Fraud.
	10/13/2006	You're Invited to MCIL’s Annual Open House & Silent Auction.
	10/6/2006	Housing Vouchers and Money Follows the Person.
	9/22/2006	Rochester ADAPT hits Congressman Kuhl and VP Cheney.
	9/16/2006	No Excuses: ADAPT Action, Washington DC September 2006.
	9/13/2006	ADA Notification Act Hearing.
	9/9/2006	The Evil Bed Tax.
	8/27/2006	Priority Components for Inclusion in a Integrated Managed Care System.
	8/22/2006	MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE DATA.
	8/16/2006	CHALK IT UP!
	8/11/2006	Info for Travelers with Disabilities.
	8/4/2006	Reasonable Accommodations and Federally-funded Housing.
	7/27/2006	NEW EEOC PUBLICATION ADDRESSES EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS.
	7/24/2006	Harkin Introduces Bill to Improve Medical Access for People with Disabilities.
	7/23/2006	White House Website Violates Federal Law.
	7/6/2006	Change is Happening: Another Look at FY 2005 MA Expenditures.
	6/30/2006	Alaska Supreme Court Strikes Down Forced Psychiatric Drugging Procedures.
	6/21/2006	McClellan Addresses NCIL.
	6/17/2006	Broadband Legislation Update.
	6/6/2006	Has the ADA Made a Difference in Your Life?
	5/27/2006	Affordable health insurance for low-income and uninsurable people.
	5/23/2006	Nursing Home Waiver in Jeopardy!
	5/17/2006	ADAPT wins concessions from HUD.
	5/12/2006	More Than 50 Million Americans Report Some Level of Disability.
	4/28/2006	Disability Advocates: Texas "Futile Care" Law Should Be Euthanized.
	4/16/2006	I'm Uninsurable and Cover Tennessee Won't Cover Me!
	4/6/2006	Update on the Community Choices Act.
	4/1/2006	3RD Annual Free Yo Momma Day!
	3/30/2006	Where is HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson?
	3/27/2006	Governor's Cover Tennessee plan Fails.
	3/22/2006	From the Nashville ADAPT Action.
	3/10/2006	Shame on The Republican Party.
	2/17/2006	Community Choices Act of 2006.
	2/6/2006	TennCare Reform - By Sen Steve Cohen.
	2/1/2006	ACCESS ACROSS AMERICA.
	1/25/2006	AAPD Final Letter to Senate on Alito Nomination.
	1/20/2006	Microenterprise Training.
	1/17/2006	Disability Activists Criticize Administration and Supreme Court.
	1/10/2006	TennCare Leadership Training.

Memphis Center for Independent color logo

MCIL Journal · · · Our Community · · · News · · · Home
· · · ADAPT· · · BFMS· · · Not Dead Yet!· · · The Declaration! · · · MCIL Staff · · · MCIL Information · · ·

The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org

MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency United Way of the Mid-South brandmark.

Return to the top of this page

MCIL would like feedback on the accessibility of this website. Please send your comments and concerns to webmaster@mcil.org