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Stephanie Woodward writes on 1/31/2019 at 10:12AM:
email sent 1/25

Good Morning Jacqueline,

I am writing to ask that Representative Meng cosponsor the Disability Integration Act (DIA). DIA ensures that people with disabilities have a right to live and receive services in their own homes. DIA further secures our Constitutionally protected right to liberty by preventing disabled people from being forced into costly institutional settings by unnecessary government regulations.

Overview
The Disability Integration Act (S.117/HR. 555), introduced by Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Congressman Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and supported by Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) and many more, creates a comprehensive solution, assuring the full integration of disabled people in the community by:
??? clarifying that every individual who is eligible for LTSS has a federally protected right to a real choice in how they receive services and supports;
??? assuring that states and other LTSS insurance providers deliver services in a manner that allows disabled individuals to live in the most integrated setting, have maximum control over their services and supports, and lead an independent life;
??? articulates the right to live in the community without creating unnecessary or wasteful Government programs; States have broad latitude to determine how they will secure that right;
??? establishing a comprehensive planning requirement that includes enforceable benchmarks;
??? requiring public entities to address the need for affordable, accessible, integrated housing that is independent of service delivery; and establishing stronger, targeted enforcement mechanisms.

Why Rep. Meng Should Support DIA
??? It secures the Constitutional right to liberty for millions of disabled people and seniors who are in institutions and want to live in the community.
??? It helps aging seniors stay in their own homes, and keeps families together.
??? It saves millions of Federal and State dollars compared with institutionalization.

Support for this Legislation
This legislation has broad-based support of organizations with support from 141 national groups, and over 700 groups in all. It was crafted by ADAPT & the National Council on Independent Living with assistance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The entire list of supporters can be found here: http://www.disabilityintegrationact.org/dia-supporter-list/


To cosponsor this bill, please contact Amy Bos (Amy.Bos@mail.house.gov) at Congressman Sensenbrenner???s office.

Will Rep. Meng cosponsor the Disability Integration Act?

Sincerely,


Stephanie Woodward, J.D.
Co-chair of the Disability Integration Act Workgroup

Jonathan Dollhopf writes on 1/18/2019 at 1:18PM:
1/16/19: Jonathan Dollhopf stopped by the office asking for David Bagby. The receptionist said he is no longer working there and also saying no one was available. The receptionist gave me the contact: Jacqueline A. Hsieh, Legislative Assistant.

Tim Bowman writes on 8/30/2018 at 1:12PM:
On August 30th, 2018, C4CI sent an email to David Bagby (David.Bagby@mail.house.gov) asking whether Representative Meng would be an initial co-sponsor of DIA if elected to the next Congress.

Bruce Darling writes on 5/17/2017 at 4:45PM:
On May 17th, ADAPT members - as part of the Spring Action Hill Day - provided the office with information about the Disability Integration Act and asked that the Member of Congress cosponsor this legislation.

Stephanie Woodward writes on 4/13/2016 at 11:02AM:
On April 13, 2016 ADAPT members - as part of the Spring Action Hill Day - provided the office with information about the Disability Integration Act which has already been introduced in the US Senate and asked that the Member of Congress become initial cosponsor this legislation in the House.