Press Releases: 2005 Releases

Sen. Grassley, Rep. Capps, and Rep. Terry Honored by United Cerebral Palsy, One of Nation’s Largest Health Charities (3/8/05)

Leadership Award Recognizes Work on Behalf of Americans with Disabilities

Washington, DC, March 8, 2005 – United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Representative Lois Capps (D-CA), and Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) were honored with a United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Leadership Award March 1, for their work on behalf of people with disabilities.

"Sen. Grassley, Rep. Capps, and Rep. Terry are true champions for Americans with disabilities," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. "They consistently put people before politics, and reach across partisan lines for common sense solutions."

Senator Grassley has been a determined disability advocate. For the past six years he has pressed for the passage of the Family Opportunity Act – legislation that gives middle income families a chance to keep their children with disabilities out of institutions by allowing them to buy into Medicaid. The Senator has reintroduced the bill this year with more than 50 bi-partisan co-sponsors.

As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Grassley works to find bi-partisan solutions to disability funding issues. The Senator supported the Money Follows the Person Act, a measure that improves access to home and community services for people with disabilities, and his leadership will be critical this year as the Senate considers an administration budget that calls for $60 billion in Medicaid reductions over the next ten years.

"Medicaid makes a significant difference in the quality of life for millions of Americans with disabilities and their families," Bennett explained. "Senator Grassley understands that you can’t balance the federal budget on the backs of people with disabilities."

Congresswoman Capps and Congressman Terry co-sponsored the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act last fall to address the alarming turnover rate – between 40 and 77% – among the millions of healthcare workers who help people with disabilities live full and independent lives. A 2003 national report found that Direct Support Professionals earn an average of only $8.68 per hour, a wage unequal to their professional responsibilities.

The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act, which the two House Members plan to reintroduce this week, gives Direct Support Professionals a long-overdue raise. The higher wages will help stabilize turnover rates while giving the families that rely on Direct Support Professionals additional comfort and regularity.

The United Cerebral Palsy Leadership Award is annually presented to Members of Congress who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to people with disabilities through their support of legislation and the fiscal resources that enable individuals with disabilities and their families to live life without limits.

*** Photos from the UCP Leadership Awards reception are available. Please contact Jim Baker at (202) 973-7114. ***

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, call (800) 872-5827.

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