Friday, May 9, 2008

ADAPT Action Folow-up

Apparently, the Democratic Party released this statement today about how
the RNC and Sen. McCain's office treated ADAPT on Tuesday. Just fyi,

For Immediate Release May 1, 2008

Contact: Damien LaVera 202-863-8148

Dean: Arrests Show McCain Out of Touch
With Americans With Disabilities

Washington, DC - This week, even as McCain was traveling the country
outlining a flawed health care agenda that does little to increase access
to quality, affordable health care for Americas working families, John
McCain showed how out of touch he is with Americans with disabilities.
Instead of meeting with disability rights activists to explain why he
refuses to co-sponsor the Community Choice Act of 2007, Senator McCain's
staff allowed more than 20 activists to be arrested in front of his Senate
office. [Associated Press, 4/29/08]

Both Democratic presidential candidates are co-sponsors of the bill, which
would allow countless Americans with disabilities the choice to live and
work in their own homes and communities. In addition, Democratic National
Committee Chairman Howard Dean has met with community activists and
repeatedly expressed his support for the bill. By contrast, McCain has
refused to join the effort to end the persistent institutional bias in
America's health care system that forces too many people with disabilities
into nursing homes and institutions. The bipartisan bill would amend the
Social Security Act to allow people who are eligible for Medicaid coverage
of nursing home costs to spend it instead on home-based or community care.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:
"At a time when John McCain is on the campaign trail talking about health
care choices, he refuses to explain why he opposes a bill that would let
Americans with disabilities choose how and where to live, work and receive
care. I am proud to lead a Party that supports the fundamental right of
every single American to make his or her own choices about where to live
and work. Apparently John McCain and his staff would rather let activists
get arrested outside his office than explain his position on this critical
issue. John McCain is either profoundly out of touch with the needs and
challenges confronting Americans with disabilities or just doesn't care.
Either way, he's the wrong choice for Americas future."

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee,
http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on ADAPT visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/

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