UCP AffNet Entrance
Press Releases: 2004 Releases
Democratic Candidates Respond to UCP's Questionnaire Addressing the Rights of People Living with Disabilities
Contact: Daryn Demeritt
202-973-7121
Candidates Address Issues That Impact Over 54 Million Americans; Dominant Issue for Disability Community in 2004 is Medicaid
Washington, D.C., January 13, 2004 – United Cerebral Palsy Associations, one of the nation’s largest providers of services to people with disabilities in the United States, announced today that five of the nine democratic candidates for President responded to a questionnaire addressing important issues that impact people living with disabilities. The questions focused on health care, education, social security, employment, housing, accessibility and family support, all issues that impact people living with disabilities on a daily basis. Over 33.7 million Americans are of voting age and living with disabilities in the United States. Today, nearly 47 million poor, disabled and elderly individuals rely on Medicaid for care. The five candidates that responded include Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and John Kerry. United Cerebral Palsy has posted the questionnaire and each candidate’s response on its Web site to help voters make an informed decision on whom to support.
"United Cerebral Palsy applauds the Democratic candidates for taking the time to communicate their positions on issues that impact millions of Americans living with disabilities," said Stephen Bennett, CEO and President of United Cerebral Palsy. "It is important to know what the candidates will do to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live independently in their communities if elected President. We are especially concerned about the continued viability of the Medicaid program. Many states have already cut Medicaid eligibility and reduced services. Millions of families across the country, including constituents of United Cerebral Palsy, rely on Medicaid for health care and long-term family support. These questionnaires will educate voters on where the candidates stand."
Medicaid is becoming the dominant issue for the disability community in 2004. Over its nearly 40-year history, Medicaid has become the nation’s health care "safety net" by providing access to services for those who cannot afford insurance. Medicaid is also overwhelmingly the only source of funding for long term individual and family supports for many people with disabilities, including United Cerebral Palsy’s constituents. Well-trained and adequately compensated direct care workers are also essential to providing the necessary supports and services to the disability community.
Bennett added, "The current Medicaid crisis presents a grave threat to the lives of United Cerebral Palsy’s constituents and their families. Heading into the election year, UCP will focus on educating the disability community and the public on how candidates plan to maintain Americans’ entitlement to a full range of Medicaid health and long-term supports and services."
In addition to Medicaid, United Cerebral Palsy’s questionnaire focused on finding out where the democratic candidates stand on:
- Public Education: Children with disabilities, like their non-disabled peers, have a right to a free, appropriate public education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees this right, yet this vital law has never been fully implemented, enforced or funded in its almost 30 year history.
- Employment: Too many individuals with disabilities who are of working age remain unemployed or under-employed.
- Social Security: The integrity and the effectiveness of the Social Security disability programs must be protected and expanded.
United Cerebral Palsy sent questions regarding issues important to people with disabilities to all nine Democratic primary candidates.
About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. UCP is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services.
United Cerebral Palsy is comprised of 103 affiliates in 37 states who offer a broad array of programs and services for people with disabilities, such as employment services, early intervention programs, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the consumers served by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s most efficient charities, with a system-wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services. For additional information about United Cerebral Palsy, visit www.ucp.org.
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