Fifty-four million Americans – roughly 1 in 6 – personally
experience some form of disability. Yet, seventeen years after Congress
enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities
still do not have an equal opportunity to fulfill the key tenet that
America was built upon—independence.
Real economic barriers still exist. In 2006, people with disabilities
were almost three times more likely to live below the poverty line
than those without disabilities. The average annual household income
for individuals without disabilities was $65,400 in 2006, while the
average for people with disabilities was $36,300. In addition, the
employment rate for people with disabilities in 2006 was at least forty
percent lower than the employment rate of working-age individuals without
disabilities. These dismal statistics offer evidence of severe shortcomings
in efforts to break down the barriers that exclude people with disabilities
and deprive them of opportunities.
With that in mind, there is plenty of work to do as the 2008 legislative
session begins this week. One of the key groups leading the drive
for change is the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
(MN-CCD), a unique coalition of more than 100 organizations founded
in the mid-90s. It includes providers, advocates and support organizations
all dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Co-chaired
by Joel Ulland from the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter
and Steve Larson from Arc Minnesota, MN-CCD supports policies that
provide the most cost-effective delivery of services and helps individuals
with disabilities maintain their health and gain independence in their
daily living. Many of CCD’s accomplishments have come through collaborating,
advocating, educating, influencing change and creating awareness for
understanding. Since its founding, this ‘together we’re
stronger’ approach has been vital to rolling back barriers
in Minnesota.
So, what is in store for us
all in 2008? The November 2007 state economic forecast predicted
a general fund deficit of $373 million. This deficit comes at a time
when the legislature is tackling important issues such as transportation
and balancing predictions of very tight funding for disability services
and needs. Despite these barriers, the disability community has three
high profile legislative priorities: universal health care coverage,
transportation, and a caregiver tax credit.
Health Care
Health care is high on the
radar screen of everyone in 2008. Last spring, the legislature convened
the Health Care Access Commission, a group of legislators as well
as private sector experts in health care. Their charge was to make
recommendations on how to achieve universal health coverage in Minnesota.
The commission had subgroups such as the Bridging the Continuum group
which focused on many issues specific to disability, and investigated
ways to bridge all sectors of health to create a seamless health
delivery system. The group also recommended ideas such as a medical
home, which focuses on patient-centered, physician-guided, cost-efficient
lifelong care. It is yet unclear if the commission’s
findings will be adopted, but dialogue is taking place, and the urgency
for reform is palpable. The need for change has never been greater.
Transportation
In the wake of the I-35W bridge,
much of the ‘08
legislative session will likely be devoted to transportation. For
people with disabilities, access to transit affects employment, education
and even health care. Therefore, the MN-CCD is again pursuing an
aggressive transportation agenda. Change is long overdue: there are
currently seven counties without any public transit, and District
Three, covering central Minnesota, will meet only 19.4 percent of
ridership needs by 2010 if current levels are maintained.
Last year the MN-CCD
launched its ‘14 by 2010’ bill which
calls for all 87 counties in Minnesota having a minimum of 14 hours
of transportation service per day by the year 2010. Unfortunately,
the parties could not pass a transportation bill and the MN-CCD bill
died. This year the MN-CCD will take a different approach to improve
transportation—using the existing 2001 Department of Transportation
Greater Minnesota Public Transportation plan as their vehicle. The
DOT plan calls for 80 percent by 2010—so we have plenty of
work ahead. Essentially, the MN-CCD bill will ask the legislature
to fund its own transportation plan.
Caregiver Tax Credit
The final big initiative the
MN-CCD is seeking is a caregiver tax credit. The simple fact is that
the most cost-effective and many times most desirable way to provide
needed care to older Minnesotans and those with disabilities is through
informal caregivers—primarily
family members. Eighty to ninety-five percent of all long-term care
services are provided by informal caregivers, saving the nation an
estimated $196 billion; a figure that dwarfs national expenditure
for home health care ($32 billion) and nursing home care ($83 billion).
When caregivers are unable to provide the care needed because the
other components of life’s resources are no longer accessible,
many are forced to make the decision to move a family member or friend
to a nursing home. The caregiver tax credit seeks a $100 maximum
monthly tax credit for those requiring a level of formal or informal
care that meets state PCA standards.
Take Action
This should
be an interesting year in Minnesota politics. Of course,
it is also a presidential election year with the certainty of a new president,
and many possible changes in Congress and the Minnesota House
of Representatives. Therefore, now is the time to take action. The
MN-CCD needs your support for our initiatives to succeed. The adage
that “decisions are made by those who show up” is genuine.
Attending advocacy days, visiting legislators, making calls, writing
letters and testifying at legislative hearings all affect a bill’s
success. So, please contact organizations you are linked with and
speak to their advocates. We also encourage you to visit the MN-CCD
Web site for a list of events you can attend and support, as well
as contact details for disability organizations around the state.
We need your help to continue breaking down barriers and to keep
showing that together we’re stronger. ![]()
Check out the Minnesota-Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
at www.mncdd.org
