November 3, 2004: The day after. The day after what, you ask? The day after George W. Bush was re-elected as President of the United States of America. The mood around here (at least) seems to be very somber. A lot of people are expressing disappointment, anger, and confusion on how this man made his way back into the most demanding job in the world.
People appear to be uncertain as far as what’s to come, whether it’s the economy, employment, Iraq, or a myriad of things. But what does another Bush term mean for the disabled? Let’s take a look at ‘W’s disability track record and what he plans to do with it over the next 4 years. The answers may surprise you.
1. What are Bush’s top accomplishments on behalf of people with disabilities in his career to date as an elected official?
The New Freedom Initiative builds on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to enhance opportunities for the 54 million Americans with disabilities. Many specific programs in the New Freedom Initiative benefit Americans with disabilities, including three that Bush believes are particularly noteworthy: the transportation, community life, and health care provisions. Bush has proposed $884 million over six years to remove transportation barriers still faced by individuals with disabilities. The Bush Administration has completed the regulation process for installing platform lifts on public transportation and worked with the States to sponsor “United We Ride,” a five-part initiative to help States and communities coordinate human service transportation for older Americans and people with disabilities.
The Bush budget proposes an increase of $2.2 billion over the next five years for the Department of Health and Human Services to fund demonstration projects that promote community-based services for people with disabilities. The Help America Vote Act includes $10 million to improve access to voting for people with disabilities and $5 million for protection and advocacy programs on behalf of people with disabilities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has handed out grants to enable older individuals and individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes.
Of course, access to high-quality health care is vital to people with disabilities; Bush claims to have taken action to make health care more accessible and affordable. “I have allocated $1.75 billion for a five-year initiative that would fund Medicaid services for individuals transitioning from institutions to the community. And I proposed strengthening Medicaid by allowing spouses of individuals with disabilities who return to work to keep their Medicaid coverage. I have allocated $102 million through fiscal year 2009 for this project,” Bush says.
The New Freedom Initiative represents a clear and ongoing commitment to ensure that Americans with disabilities have every opportunity to enjoy all the opportunities our Nation has to offer. A caring and compassionate society can offer no less.
2. Since Bush is re-elected what should be his top priorities during his first 100 days in office to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities living in the U.S.?
“I will continue to pursue the policies I proposed in the New Freedom Initiative – the most comprehensive proposal since the ADA that is focused on removing barriers faced by people with disabilities – and I will remain open to new ideas to assist people with disabilities as technologies develop or new needs arise”.
- President George W. Bush
3 How would Bush go about bringing the four largest federal programs (Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security Disability Insurance) in line with the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency)?
The ADA is an excellent start in affording everyone an equal chance at success, but more must be done. Bush’s commitment to the 20% of Americans with disabilities is demonstrated in his New Freedom Initiative. He secured funding for a number of projects aimed at removing disincentives to work that currently exist in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefit system. And in June 2001, He signed an Executive Order to create “Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities,” directing agencies to require States to place qualified individuals with mental disabilities in community settings, rather than in institutions. The “Ticket to Work” law extends Medicare coverage for SSDI beneficiaries so employees can return to work without the fear of losing health benefits. It also expands Medicaid eligibility categories for certain working people with severe disabilities so that they can continue to receive benefits after their income or condition improves. Bush also created the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, which is responsible for conducting a comprehensive study of the nation’s mental health service delivery system. The Commission recommended improvements to enable adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. The Bush Administration is working to address the improvements recommended in the report.
4. What does Bush see as the most appropriate role for the federal government to play in the lives of people with disabilities and their families and what is his reaction to recent trends limiting the federal role in disability policy?
Bush believes that the federal government should not only provide an outstanding example of equality and fairness in its own employment policies, but should facilitate efforts that will help to establish an environment of opportunity that gives every American a chance to succeed and thrive.
It is the government’s duty to enforce the laws that protect the rights of Americans with disabilities and to invest in the projects that will further expand their opportunities. In keeping with this philosophy, the Justice Department is aggressively enforcing the ADA, which has been critical in tearing down the barriers once faced by Americans with disabilities. There is still more we can do, and the New Freedom Initiative is building on this progress. The swift implementation of the Olmstead decision is resulting in expanded community-based services and better assistive technologies for more Americans with disabilities. These efforts are being supported with funding that will enable more individuals with disabilities to access new technologies, own their own homes, and fully participate in their communities. And by providing funding through grant funds and demonstrations, we are equipping states and localities – which are better able to address the needs of their communities with the resources to provide the programs that will benefit their specific populations.
Check out the next issue of I-WITNESS for the conclusion of this article!!!
President George W. Bush has a lot of tough decisions dealing with his policies on the disabled.
SOURCES: www.johnkerry.com , www.georgebush.com, www.nationalrehab.org
