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McCain Has Police Arrest Disabled People
As a deaf woman, I hope to see the media pick this up because this shows the callous disregard that John McCain has towards disabled constituents. The story is below:
<blockquote>At least 20 disabled activists, most of them in wheelchairs, were arrested outside Sen. John McCain's offices Tuesday after being refused a meeting with the GOP presidential nominee-to-be over a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to more people who want in-home care.
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said about 20 people from the group were arrested outside McCain's office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Tuesday and charged with unlawful assembly.
McCain's Senate chief of staff said the protesters turned down an offer to meet immediately with McCain's aides. Mark Busey said he didn't know McCain's position on the legislation but would ask. The chances are slim, however, that the senator himself would be meeting with members of the group.</blockquote>
The bill being discussed here is the Community Choice Act of 2007, which amends the Social Security Act to allow those who are disabled to elect to have their Medicaid coverage for nursing home costs to be directed to home based or community based care instead, so that they may be allowed to stay at home instead of an institutional setting.
Senator Tom Harkin, God bless his heart, sponsored this important piece of legislation. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are among the co-sponsors of the Community Choice Act of 2007.
Also, Howard Dean, the current DNC Chair, issued a press release about the arrest of the ADAPT members at John McCain's office:
<blockquote>"At a time when John McCain is on the campaign trail talking about health care choices, he refuses to explain why he opposes a bill that would let Americans with disabilities choose how and where to live, work and receive care. I am proud to lead a Party that supports the fundamental right of every single American to make his or her own choices about where to live and work. Apparently John McCain and his staff would rather let activists get arrested outside his office than explain his position on this critical issue. John McCain is either profoundly out of touch with the needs and challenges confronting Americans with disabilities or just doesn't care. Either way, he's the wrong choice for Americas future."</blockquote>
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/1/212337/6833/95/507406
<blockquote>At least 20 disabled activists, most of them in wheelchairs, were arrested outside Sen. John McCain's offices Tuesday after being refused a meeting with the GOP presidential nominee-to-be over a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to more people who want in-home care.
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said about 20 people from the group were arrested outside McCain's office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Tuesday and charged with unlawful assembly.
McCain's Senate chief of staff said the protesters turned down an offer to meet immediately with McCain's aides. Mark Busey said he didn't know McCain's position on the legislation but would ask. The chances are slim, however, that the senator himself would be meeting with members of the group.</blockquote>
The bill being discussed here is the Community Choice Act of 2007, which amends the Social Security Act to allow those who are disabled to elect to have their Medicaid coverage for nursing home costs to be directed to home based or community based care instead, so that they may be allowed to stay at home instead of an institutional setting.
Senator Tom Harkin, God bless his heart, sponsored this important piece of legislation. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are among the co-sponsors of the Community Choice Act of 2007.
Also, Howard Dean, the current DNC Chair, issued a press release about the arrest of the ADAPT members at John McCain's office:
<blockquote>"At a time when John McCain is on the campaign trail talking about health care choices, he refuses to explain why he opposes a bill that would let Americans with disabilities choose how and where to live, work and receive care. I am proud to lead a Party that supports the fundamental right of every single American to make his or her own choices about where to live and work. Apparently John McCain and his staff would rather let activists get arrested outside his office than explain his position on this critical issue. John McCain is either profoundly out of touch with the needs and challenges confronting Americans with disabilities or just doesn't care. Either way, he's the wrong choice for Americas future."</blockquote>
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/1/212337/6833/95/507406
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Real classy.
May 2, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am a bit of a sceptic when it comes to stories like this when I see no clear description of the events. There is a little more detail in the Kos link but looks like it is all from the group's press release. Often it turns out the victim was not quite as innocent as self-portrayed.
I hope it goes without saying that if the recounting is correct, I think this is a horrible abuse of authority. (And that, all in all, the treatment of disabled folks is far from the bar.)
But I would like to hear a bit more before jumping to that accusation.
May 2, 2008 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink