Disability Integration Act reintroduced, fights for independence of disabled individuals

Watertown Daily Times (NY)

Jan. 16--WATERTOWN -- A piece of civil rights legislation reintroduced on Tuesday to the 116th Congress helps fight for the independence of all people, including the disabled.

The Disability Integration Act -- originally introduced in 2016 by Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. -- prohibits states or local governments that provide institutional placements for individuals with disabilities who need long-term assistance, and prohibits insurance providers that fund such long-term services, from denying community-based services that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life.

Without this in place, people who are eligible for services could be forced into nursing homes or other institutions by their insurance company, according to Aileen G. Martin, executive director of the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, rather than receiving the services in their own home.

Mrs. Martin said it's common for insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare, to only pay for the services and support people with disabilities need in an institutionalized facility. This causes strain for those the center serves, she said.

"For example, if a couple is in an accident and one spouse gets okay, while the other spouse acquires significant disabilities, this bill would ensure they aren't separated by where the spouse with disabilities has to receive services," Mrs. Martin said. "It would be a tragedy of the soul to essentially divorce a couple just so the one who has disabilities can receive services necessary to complete activities of daily living."

The center hosted a party from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday as part of the nationwide day of celebration sponsored by the National Council on Independent Living on the bill's reintroduction.