Glad I’m basically healthy…
[Of course, I’ve got a variety of ailments that are going untreated… loss of hearing in one ear, back pain, an unknown and undiagnosed trembling of the hands that may or may not be something serious, etc. With no healthcare though, if it isn’t killing me now, I can’t pay for it… especially since hopefully I’ll be employed soon, and have access… and if I get treated before then, I run up huge bills and potentially have to wait 6 months for treatment coverage, based on a pre-existing condition (bastard system). But… I’m not already diagnosed and needing services and care just to survive day to day. -Thomas]
CALIFORNIA UCP ACTION ALERT #12-2003-01
DECEMBER 3, 2003 - Wednesday
ACTION ALERT - PROTEST RALLY:
“FIGHT FOR THE PROMISE!” AND SENATE BUDGET HEARING (NEW DATE!)
* PROTEST AGAINST SUSPENSION OF THE LANTERMAN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
SERVICES ACT & MASSIVE CUTS TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS
* ATTEND & TESTIFY AT SENATE BUDGET HEARING THAT SAME DAY ON THESE BUDGET
PROPOSALS BY THE GOVERNOR.
* FIGHT FOR THE PROMISE THAT CALIFORNIA MADE TO IT’S MOST VULNERABLE
PEOPLE!
WHEN
DEC 10 - WED MORNING
WHERE
North Steps - State Capitol (facing L St)
10 AM - Protest: “Fight for the Promise!”
11 AM - Senate Subcommittee #3 Budget Hearing on Health & Human Services
Persons attending protest rally will then enter Capitol and attend - and
if they want, testify (keep testimony very brief - within 30-60 seconds)
before the Senate Budget Subcommittee.
Note: We will hold this protest rally rain or shine and even if the
subcommitte budget hearing is postponed again. It will happen NO MATTER
WHAT! Please note location change from West Steps to North Steps (faces L
Street). Fight for the Promise that California made to people with
developmental and other disabilities, to its seniors!
WHAT
Hundreds of Californians from across the state will come to protest the
Governor’s Proposed Suspension of the landmark Lanterman Developmental
Disabilities Services Act; enrollment caps and waiting lists for critical
services; elimination of respite and other programs, In-Home Supportive
Services Residual Program, Medi-Cal cuts
WHO SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS ALERT
The civil rights act for people with developmental disabilities is being
proposed for virtual elimination (the suspension is likely to be permanent).
Massive cuts and program eliminations to other services for people with
disabilities and seniors are on the table! THIS call to action is for ALL
people with developmental and other disabilities including people with brain
injuries; their families, seniors, direct care and other workers, statewide
associations, regional centers, community based providers and organizations,
senior organizations independent living centers, advocacy groups, friends
and neighbors. Don’t wait to be formally invited - you are! Everyone is
needed - this is about our rights, and about the promise. This is the time
to set aside time, set aside differences, get in the car, jump on the train,
get on the bus or hop on the plane and FIGHT for the promise!
LOGISTICS
* The NEW location site has been confirmed. (many thanks and appreciation
to the Capitol California Highway Patrol officers, especially Officer Howell
and to the Capitol security folks under the Senate Sargent At Arms)
* Parking - public parking available on 10th and L Streets (enter on 10th)
and also on 7th and L Street (enter from 7th). Self service parking and
valet parking available at Hyatt Regency Hotel (across from Capitol) and
also at Sheraton Grand Hotel.
* Location: State Capitol North Steps faces L Street, between 10th and
13th Streets.
* Shuttles and Buses: unload passengers either on L Street or 10th Street
(more details later about parking for shuttle buses and large vans)
BACKGROUND:
* Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Department of Finance submitted to both
the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees Tuesday last week, a proposal for
massive cuts to health and human services in both the current year budget
now in operation and for next year including (see also CA UCP Capitol Report
#171-2003-addedum). The cuts include:
* Suspension of the landmark Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services
Act - the civil rights act that protects people with developmental
disabilities, including thousands of children with autism, mental
retardation and cerebral palsy. The suspension would like be permanent and
is the first time that any Governor has proposed suspension in its 35 year
history. The original historic act was authored by Republican Assemblyman
Frank Lanterman in 1969 and signed into law by then Governor Ronald Reagan.
* Enrollment caps (at December 31, 2003 caseload levels) to several health
and human service programs - including regional centers that serve people
with developmental disabilities; state hospitals that serve people with
mental health needs; developmental centers serving people with developmental
disabilities; rehabilitation programs, healthy families (health insurance
program for low-income families); AIDs Drug Assistance Program, Genetically
Handicapped Persons Program; the California Children’s Services state only
program - impacting thousands of people, including children with autism.
The draft legislation submitted by the Governor Tuesday called for caseload
and spending caps on INDIVIDUAL regional centers - and authority to modify,
change an person’s individual program plan with the right of appeal
eliminated (except for cases impacted by the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act and Social Security). The caseload caps are likely to be
permanent.
* Waiting Lists - the Governor’s Department of Finance is proposing the
establishment of waiting lists for the above programs and services and as
attrition occurs, new persons would be permitted to enroll into those
programs, up to the December 31, 2003 capped caseload level - meaning that a
mother, for instance, who gives birth to a baby with autism (or other
developmental disabilities) would - if the Governor’s proposal passes - have
to wait probably for years to receive regional center services. The waiting
lists would likely be permanent.
* Elimination of In-Home Supportive Services Residual Program for families
who employ family members to assist their own family members with
disabilities.
* Huge cuts to important community services funded through regional center
services including elimination of critically needed respite services for
families with children with developmental disabilities, recreational
programs, non-medical therapies including music therapy, equestrian therapy
(permanent cuts of over $300 million).
* Another rate reduction for Medi-Cal providers of 10% (on top of the 5%
reduction imposed by the current budget) that will further reduce access to
health care by people with disabilities and seniors. This reduction would
likely be permanent.
* Increase licensing fees for community care facilities for children and
adults with developmental and other disabilities, seniors.
* More major cuts and reductions are expected when the Governor releases
another possible round of current budget cuts and his proposed budget for
2004-2005 on January 10.
OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO
* DON’T PANIC! We can fight back if we unite and coordinate our actions
together!
* VISIT AND CALL YOUR OWN LEGISLATOR AT LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE - go in
groups of five or more (people with disabilities, friends, neighbors, family
members, direct care workers and providers and others) and ask their
position on the Governor’s cuts - and urge them to oppose. Don’t be
insulting (it doesn’t help).
* LETTERS TO THE EDITORS TO YOUR LOCAL PAPER - write letters to the editor
on the Governor’s proposed cuts and proposal to suspend the Lanterman Act
(see CA UCP Action Alert #12-2003-02
* SAVE THE DATE! DEC 12 FRIDAY FOR State Town Hall Telemeeting on regional
center co-payment and Lanterman suspension proposal and other cuts
* UNIFIED ACTION MEETINGS - Come to upcoming Unified Action Meetings by
the California Community Advocacy Network to unify strategy and tactics to
oppose suspension of Lanterman Act. Previous events included “Rally for the
Promise” held November 18, events last May and the April 7th “The Whole
World Is Watching” rally and march to the Capitol (and for the budget
hearings that same day) that attracted over 3,000 people across the state.
* BUDGET HEARINGS IN SACRAMENTO - Mobilize people and attend budget
hearings on Governor’s proposed cuts (including suspension of Lanterman Act)
on Dec 10 (including the “Fight For the Promise!” Rally at 10 AM that day
* ACTION ALERTS - Respond to the earlier Action Alert to call the Governor
and key members of the budget committee. If you need a new copy of this
alert, email request to: martyomoto@rcip.com or call 916/446-0013.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CA UCP ALERT OR THE PROTEST RALLY
* This is a online ALERT or all Californians with developmental (& other
disabilities), families, providers and other advocates, from the California
Coalition of United Cerebral Palsy Associations a link to the California
Community Advocacy Network. The California Community Advocacy Network is a
non-partisan link to thousands of people with developmental and other
disabilities and their families, community organizations and providers,
direct care and other workers and advocates across California.
* If you would like to get on this distribution (and conversely, get off
of it) please send an email with that request to: martyomoto@rcip.com.
Sharing information is part of our organizing effort. Please feel free to
forward or copy this (attribution is nice). We’re all in this together!
Marty Omoto - Legislative director/organizer - CA Coalition of United
Cerebral Palsy Associations
1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814 VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013
FAX number: 916/446-0026 email: martyomoto@rcip.com
Coalition Chair: Philip Ksarjian (UCP of Greater Sacramento)
Past Chair: Ron Cohen (UCP of LA and Ventura Counties)
