From: jfa@jfanow.org (Justice For All Moderator)


"DNC Message for ADAPT March"

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2003

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe
Welcomes Disability Activists

Washington, D.C. -- DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe today
applauded and welcomed more than 200 disability activists
participating in "The Free Our People March." The march
began on September 4 in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell
and concluded in the nation's capitol on September 17.
McAuliffe also extended enthusiastic greetings to the more
than 10,000 activists gathered on Capitol Hill to draw
attention to the urgent need to pass legislation that would
provide long-term care services to people with disabilities
and seniors in their homes and communities, instead of in
nursing homes.

"Last September I called for passage of MiCASSA, because it
would offer Real Freedom for people with disabilities to
choose to receive long-term care services in their homes in
the community where they live," said McAuliffe.

"President Bush recently sent Congress legislation to
address this need, but he failed to request funding to
carry it out. The President knows full well that our
country cannot afford his tax cuts, the mismanagement of
Iraq and be able to invest in vital legislation like
MiCASSA. It appears that President Bush's New Freedom
initiative only extends to those profiting from the war in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and not Americans with Disabilities,"
stated McAuliffe.

The Bush administration's plan for Medicaid, which provides
the majority of long-term care services in nursing homes,
would permit states to eliminate coverage to many of the 45
million lower income beneficiaries. With states in the
midst of budget crises, many are already reducing vital
health care services. The Bush plan would place caps on
the amount of money states receive, putting the population
of people with disabilities and seniors at grave risk. (New
York Times, 2/24/03; "Failing America's Seniors," 5/16/03)

"The Free Our People" march is coordinated by the national
disability rights group ADAPT. It is believed that this is
the first time people in wheelchairs have staged such a
lengthy 144 mile march camping along the way, to demand
that Congress pass legislation known as MiCASSA.

Contact: Debra DeShong or Becky Ogle, 202-863-7145

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