Thursday, February 22, 2018

ACTION: PROTECT THE ADA, MEDICAID AND MEDICARE

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Thursday, February 22, 2018
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PROTECT THE ADA, MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
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#HandsOff
 #Medicaid
#DisabilityRights

 Trump and the GOP are endangering the health and rights of people with disabilities.

The budget proposal released Monday includes cuts of $1.4 trillion to Medicaid and $5 billion to Medicare.  These cuts will significantly harm 53 million people in the U.S. who have disabilities, including one in three people over the age of 65.

H.R. 620 passed the House and is headed to the Senate.  This amendment to the ADA places the burden of compliance onto people facing discriminatory barriers.  It eliminates any incentive for businesses and institutions to comply with ADA rules proactively.

Those who have been denied their rights of access to public spaces are barred from immediately filing an ADA compliance lawsuit.  First they must provide the business with a detailed legal notice explaining the specific violation.  The violator then has six months to respond.  This makes litigation difficult, suppressing enforcement.

The ADA is not an undue hardship on businesses, as claimed.  The rules have been in place since 1990 and are well known.  It already contains exemptions when change is not “readily achievable”.  There are already rules barring attorneys from filing frivolous lawsuits.

Call on your representatives to protect disability rights.
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**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE**

 SAMPLE SCRIPT – for Merkley and Wyden:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].  I am calling because the civil rights and health of our disabled and elderly neighbors and loved ones are under attack. The so-called ADA Education and Reform act would severely weaken the ADA and roll back disability rights. Trump’s newly proposed budget includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  I am asking the Senator to use every means at his disposal to ensure defeat of any form of H.R. 602 introduced in the Senate.  I am also asking him to vote against any budget that includes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  Thank you.

SAMPLE SCRIPT – for Reps Blumenauer, Bonamici, and DeFazio:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code].   I am calling because the civil rights and health of our disabled and elderly neighbors and loved ones are under attack. The so-called ADA Education and Reform act would severely weaken the ADA and roll back disability rights. Trump’s newly proposed budget includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  I want to thank the Representative for voting against H.R. 602.  I am also asking him/her to vote against any budget that includes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  Thank you.

SAMPLE SCRIPT – for Reps Schrader and Walden
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code].    I am calling because the civil rights and health of our disabled and elderly neighbors and loved ones are under attack. The so-called ADA Education and Reform act would severely weaken the ADA and roll back disability rights. Trump’s newly proposed budget includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  I am deeply concerned and disappointed that the Representative supported H.R. 602.  I am asking him to consider the lives and liberties of his constituents first; no longer support legislation that helps to infringe on our civil rights; and oppose any budget that includes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  Thank you.
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**ACTION 2:  SEND THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Share this post with friends and family.  Help them leave messages for their congressional delegations about protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY  
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN  
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**