BARACK OBAMA VS. JOHN MCCAIN:
Who Will Break Down the Barriers that Exclude People with Disabilities?
OBAMA ON SUPPORT FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act of 2007. Obama believes
that individuals should be able to make their own choices for their living
arrangements and live independently in their communities. [S.799, 110th
Congress]
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Living Assistance Services and
Support (CLASS) Act Of 2007. This bill would help individuals with
functional impairments pay for services that they need to maximize their
independence. [S.1758, 110th Congress]
MCCAIN ON SUPPORT FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY
McCain strongly opposes the Community Choice Act. Asked about the
Community Choice Act at a Town Hall in Denver, McCain said "The Community
Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that I support." [McCain Town Hall,
7/7/08]
OBAMA ON EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Barack Obama supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA), early intervention and developmental programs, and
expanded college opportunities for students with disabilities.
Obama voted for over $44 billion in funding for the IDEA. [SCR 21, Senate
Vote #94, 3/22/07]
Obama will invest $10 billion per year in early intervention, educational
and developmental programs for children between zero and five. His plan
will help expand programs such as Early Head Start to serve more children
with disabilities. His plan also will encourage states to expand programs
for children with disabilities, such as IDEA Part C. [Obama Plan to Empower
Americans with Disabilities]
Obama supports increasing opportunities for college students with
disabilities. He also will provide more support for these college students.
Obama was an original co-sponsor of the Senate bill to reauthorize the
Higher Education Act (S. 1642) which significantly expands opportunities and
supports for individuals with disabilities to attend college and graduate
programs. [S.1642, 110th Congress]
MCCAIN ON EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
John McCain has repeatedly voted against the IDEA even though he claims he
supports full funding of it.
McCain has repeatedly voted against funding for special education.
> McCain repeatedly voted against funding increases for the IDEA.
[H.R.4577, Senate Vote #170, 6/30/00; SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03]
> McCain has chosen tax cuts for the wealthy over education funding for
students with disabilities. Specifically, McCain voted against increasing
spending in the amount of $229 billion over 10 years for the IDEA. McCain
also voted against an amendment that would create a reserve fund of $73
billion in IDEA funding. The spending would have been made possible by
reducing tax cuts. [SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03; SCR 23, Senate Vote
#70, 3/21/03]
McCain did not co-sponsor reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (S.
1642). He also did not vote on passage of the reauthorization of the Higher
Education Act in the 110th Congress. [S.1642, 110th Congress; S. 1642,
Senate Vote #275, 7/24/07]
OBAMA ON SOCIAL SERVICES SPENDING
Obama opposes a freeze on social services spending for people with
disabilities.
Obama voted against capping non-defense spending which means that social
service spending for people with disabilities could continue to meet their
needs. In 2005, Obama voted against the Inhofe amendment that would cap
non-defense, non-trust fund spending. [S.1932, Senate Vote #286, 11/3/05]
MCCAIN ON SOCIAL SERVICES SPENDING
McCain promises that he will cap non-defense spending for at least one
year, meaning that social services spending for people with disabilities
will be capped as well.
McCain voted in favor of capping non-defense spending. In 2005, McCain
voted for the Inhofe amendment that would cap non-defense and non-trust fund
spending. [S.1932, Senate Vote #286, 11/3/05]
McCain proposed a freeze of discretionary spending as illustrated when he
said, "As president, I will also order a prompt and thorough review of the
budgets of every federal program, department, and agency. While that
top-to-bottom review is underway, we will institute a one-year pause in
discretionary spending increases with the necessary exemption of military
spending and veterans' benefits." [McCain Remarks on the Economy at Carnegie
Mellon University, 4/15/08]
OBAMA ON HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
Obama will sign universal health care into law by the end of his first term
in office, and he has supported expanding the State Children's Health
Insurance Program ("SCHIP") and health care programs for people withdisabilities, children, and veterans.
Under Obama's plan to provide universal health insurance, insurance
companies will not be able to stop individuals from getting coverage even if
they have pre-existing conditions and disabilities. Obama's plan allows
individuals and businesses to purchase public or private health coverage
through a national health insurance exchange. Obama's plan would make
health care more affordable and accessible to all Americans, particularly
individuals who have been denied coverage in the private market due to a
pre-existing condition or disability. [Obama Plan to Empower Individuals
with Disabilities]
Obama is a co-sponsor of ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act of 2007
(S.2102). Before they can get Medicare coverage, people with disabilities
must first receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24
months. Due to the 24-month Medicare waiting period, an estimated 400,000
Americans with disabilities are uninsured and many more are underinsured at
a time in their lives when they need health coverage the most. During this
waiting period, many individuals develop secondary conditions, their health
status worsens and many die. Obama supports legislation that would phase
out this harmful waiting period and provide individuals with health
insurance. [S.2102, 110th Congress]
Obama supported expanded health insurance for children. In 2007, Obama
voted to reauthorize the SCHIP at over $60 billion for five years. Two
children who live with a single parent who makes $51,510 would have access
to health insurance coverage under SCHIP. The bill would provide $100
million in new grants to fund state outreach and enrollment efforts and
allocate $49 million for a demonstration project to streamline the
enrollment process for low-income children already eligible for coverage.
[HR 976, Senate Vote #307, 8/2/07]
Obama supported assuring accessible health care to people with disabilities
by co-sponsoring the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities
Act (S.1050) The bill would require the U.S. Access Board to establish
access standards for all diagnostic equipment (examination tables, x-ray,
mammography and other radiological equipment, etc.). It also educates
physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools,
and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and
clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities (including
those with intellectual disabilities) as a condition of receiving federal
funds. Finally, it establishes a national wellness grant program which will
authorize funding for programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight
control, nutrition or fitness that are tailored to the needs of individuals
with disabilities and authorize funding for preventive health screening
programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of
secondary conditions. [S.1050, 110th Congress]
Obama supported expanding health care for veterans.
> In 2005, Obama voted for providing an additional $500 million per year
for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. [S.2020,
Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]
> In 2006, Obama voted in favor of adding $430 million for outpatient and
inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Nearly half of the
military servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will require
health care services for the physical and psychological traumas of war, yet
the Bush administration and Republican-led Congress have underfunded the
Veterans Administration's medical services by at least $1.2 billion for 2007
alone. And, this was the second consecutive year they had done so.
[H.R.4939, Senate Vote #98, 4/26/06; The Independent Budget, A Budget for
Veterans by Veterans, 2/10/06; Newsweek, 1/19/06]
Obama voted to grant access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina victims for
up to five months. The bill would have provided full federal funding for
Medicaid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and
provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina evacuees.
[S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]
Obama voted for $2 million for research of traumatic brain injuries to
improve imaging for traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current
technologies to treat brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt.
4781, Senate Vote #222, 8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]
MCCAIN ON HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
McCain's health care plan does not prohibit discrimination against
individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities. McCain's
healthcare plan would replace the existing tax exclusion for
employer-sponsored health coverage with a refundable tax credit for all
Americans as an incentive to purchase health insurance. However, many
individuals with disabilities are denied coverage or unable to afford
coverage in the private market due to pre-existing conditions and
disabilities. While McCain's plan would work with states to develop best
practice models in expanding coverage to individuals who have been denied
coverage, it would not prohibit discrimination. [Washington Post, 4/30/08]
McCain opposed reauthorizing SCHIP and providing insurance for millions of
uninsured children. According to Knight Ridder, "The [2007] Senate proposal
would provide coverage to 3.2 million" uninsured children and renew coverage
for the 6 million children already covered by the program. The legislation
passed 68-31. [H.R. 976, Vote #307, 8/2/07; Knight Ridder, 8/2/07]
McCain voted against $2 million of funding for research of traumatic brain
injuries. McCain rejected legislation that would help improve imaging for
traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current technologies to treat
brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt. 4781, Senate Vote #222,
8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]
McCain opposed expanding health care for veterans.
> In 2005, McCain voted against providing an additional $500 million per
year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans.
[S.2020, Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]
> In 2006, McCain was one of 13 senators who voted against adding $430
million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans.
Amendment passed 84-16. [H.R.4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06]
McCain voted against granting access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina
victims for up to five months. The Bill would have provided full federal
funding for Medicaid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for up to one
year and provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina
evacuees. [S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]
McCain has not co-sponsored the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with
Disabilities Act (S.1050)
OBAMA ON CIVIL RIGHTS FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
Obama strongly supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Restoration Act. Indeed, he signed on as an original co-sponsor of the
Senate version of the ADA Restoration Act. [S.1050, 110th Congress]
Obama will appoint judges who exhibit empathy for individuals with
disabilities. "Barack Obama will appoint judges and justices who respect
Congress' role as a co-equal, democratically elected branch of government
and who exhibit empathy with what it means to be an American with a
disability" [Obama Plan To Empower Individuals With Disabilities]
MCCAIN ON CIVIL RIGHTS FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
While McCain has also co-sponsored the ADA Restoration Act, he has promised
to appoint judges like those who interpreted the ADA narrowly and deprived
millions of people with disabilities of their civil rights. McCain said
that as president, he would "appoint strict constructionist judges." [AP,
8/7/07] "In an address at Wake Forest University, McCain pledged to
nominate jurists who believe 'there are clear limits to the scope of
judicial power'...By way of example, McCain said he would look for people in
the cast of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito
Jr., and his friend the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He called
them 'jurists of the highest caliber who know their own minds, and know the
law, and know the difference.'" [Los Angeles Times, 5/7/08]
OBAMA ON MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY
In 2007, Obama voted against increasing Medicare Part D premiums for
beneficiaries making over $80,000 annually. Obama voted against the Ensign
Amendment that would require Medicare prescription drugs beneficiaries with
annual incomes over $80,000 and couples with annual incomes over $160,000 to
pay a larger share of their Medicare Part D premium.[SCR 21, Senate Vote
#93, 3/22/07]
Obama opposed means testing for Medicare. In response to a NCPSSM
questionnaire, Obama said, "The bill added 'means testing' to Part B of
Medicare, requiring individuals with incomes over $80,000 to pay gradually
higher premiums. This undermines the basic premise of Medicare as an
insurance program for all Americans and could cause wealthier and healthier
people to leave the Medicare program." [NCPSSM Questionnaire; Citizen
Action Illinois Questionnaire, SEIU Questionnaire]
MCCAIN ON MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY
McCain voted to raise the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. In 1997,
McCain voted in favor of raising the eligibility age for receiving Medicare
from 65 to 67 with the change being phased in between 2003 and 2027. The
motion passed 62-38. [S 947, Vote #112, 6/24/97]
OBAMA ON MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
Obama is a long-time supporter of mental health parity legislation, having
passed the Illinois Mental Health Parity Law. He also co-sponsored the
Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. Obama co-sponsored a bill to amend the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health
Service Act to require a group health plan that provides both medical and
surgical benefits and mental health benefits to ensure that: (1) the
financial requirements applicable to such mental health benefits are no more
restrictive than those of substantially all medical and surgical benefits
covered by the plan, including deductibles and copayments; and (2) the
treatment limitations applicable to such mental health benefits are no more
restrictive than those applied to substantially all medical and surgical
benefits covered by the plan, including limits on the frequency of
treatments or similar limits on the scope or duration of treatment. The bill
prohibited the plan from establishing separate cost sharing requirements
that are applicable only with respect to mental health benefits. [110th,
S.558, Introduced 2/12/07; HELP Report, 4/11/07]
Obama co-sponsored and voted for a mental health parity bill that requires
coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and
conditions as other illnesses and diseases. [92nd GA; SB 1341; 2001; Signed
into law 7/27/01, PA 92-0185]
MCCAIN ON MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
McCain's health care plan would eliminate the mental health parity
requirements in 45 states. [Wall Street Journal, 10/11/07; SOURCE: National
Conference of State Legislatures
(http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/hmolaws.htm), accessed 7/30/07; Council
for Affordable Health Insurance, accessed 7/30/07
(http://www.cahi.org/cahi_contents/resources/pdf/MandatePub2007.pdf)]
OBAMA ON AUTISM
Obama will increase federal funding for outreach and support services for
people on the autism spectrum. Specifically, "Obama will seek to increase
federal ASD funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness,
and support services to $1 billion annually by the end of his first term in
office. Obama will also continue to work with parents, physicians,
providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective
solutions for people with ASD." [Obama Plan Supporting Americans with Autism
Spectrum Disorders]
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Expanding the Promise to Individuals with
Autism Act (S.937) which would improve services and supports for individuals
with autism spectrum disorder and their families. It would build upon
programs within the Developmental Disabilities Act to increase
interdisciplinary training of professionals, development and dissemination
of evidence-based autism treatments, interventions, supports and services
for children and adults, and protection and advocacy. [S.937, 110th
Congress]
MCCAIN ON AUTISM
McCain has not taken a leading role to expand services and supports for
people with autism. McCain has not co-sponsored the Expanding the Promise to
Individuals with Autism Act (S.937). [S.937, 110th Congress]
McCain says he will work to advance federal autism research. "As
President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism,
promote early screening, and identify better treatment options, while
providing support for children with autism so that they may reach their full
potential." [McCain Statement on Combating Autism in America]
OBAMA ON VOTING RIGHTS FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
Obama supports fully funding the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) so that we
can ensure all polling places are accessible. His administration would
also assure better enforcement of federal disability rights laws - from HAVA
to the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act to the ADA -
to make sure the right of Americans with disabilities to vote is fully
protected. [Obama Plan to Empower Individuals with Disabilities]
MCCAIN ON VOTING RIGHTS FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
In 2002, McCain voted repeatedly against the Help America Vote Act, which
was offered to correct problems in the election system and impose detailed
voting-procedure requirements on the states. McCain voted for final passage
of the bill. [S.565, Senate Vote #39, 3/1/02; S.565, Senate Vote #Vote 40,
3/4/02; H.R.3295, Senate Vote #238, 10/16/02]
OBAMA ON VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES
The Disabled America Veterans (DAV) gave Obama an 80% rating in 2006.
[Project Vote Smart]
MCCAIN ON VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES
McCain voted with the Disabled American Veterans 20% of the time.
Factcheck.org "However, he is correct in that McCain doesn't have a perfect
score with DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a group of 1.3 million disabled
veterans that supports more funding for veterans health care. McCain has a
20 percent record of voting the way DAV would like him to in 2006...Senators
were evaluated on five votes for amendments that would have increased
funding for veterans' health care." [Factcheck.org]