Press Releases: 2005 Releases

United Cerebral Palsy Honors Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Jeff Bingaman (10/27/2005)

Washington, DC, 2005 – Paul A. Volcker, former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, and Emmy-nominated actress Cheryl Hines, star of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, presented Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) with the United Cerebral Palsy Life Without Limits Award for their leadership on behalf of Americans with disabilities at a private ceremony on October 26.

United Cerebral Palsy, one of the nation’s largest health charities, created the Life Without Limits Award to recognize national leaders who are committed to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.

“Placing people before politics, Senator Grassley and Senator Bingaman have consistently championed the rights of people with disabilities to live without limits,” said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. “We honor them tonight because they stand out among their peers with a commitment to common sense public policy that advances the health, welfare and dignity of all Americans with disabilities.”

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has championed legislation that protects and expands Medicaid coverage for people with disabilities. Medicaid is the primary source of funding for health and long-term supports for more than 7 million Americans with disabilities.

“United Cerebral Palsy is a valuable partner in crafting health policies that are effective and efficient, and I’m honored to accept the Life Without Limits Award,” said Senator Grassley. “It is vital that we continue working together to make community-based health services more accessible and more affordable for more Americans. By encouraging people to live in their own communities and be productive, we are advancing a system that rewards independence.”

Senator Grassley is the sponsor of the Family Opportunity Act, which would expand Medicaid to cover lower-middle class families with children with disabilities. Earlier this year, he also introduced the Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act, which would help Americans pay for assisted living, home health aides and other long term services. And just last month, he proposed a major adjustment to Medicaid to assist individuals with disabilities and their families affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is also a champion of improving access to affordable health care for Americans with disabilities. Earlier this year, he introduced the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Act, which would completely phase-out the two-year waiting period that people with disabilities must endure before receiving Medicare coverage.

“For every person with a disability to achieve a life without limits, we must continue to make government a tool, rather than an obstacle, towards true independence and productivity,” said Senator Bingaman. “Thank you for this award and for joining our efforts to advance the health of all Americans.”

Senator Bingaman has also taken a lead role on key disability issues such as vocational rehabilitation and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures public education for more than 6 million students with disabilities.

Mr. Volcker, who is Chairman of the Board of the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation, also recognized Dr. Murray Goldstein with the Life Without Limits Award.

Dr. Goldstein, who retired from directing United Cerebral Palsy research activities on September 30, recently led an international team of experts to propose an updated definition and classification of cerebral palsy, a complex condition that affects more than 765,000 Americans

The group’s aim was to improve coordination between medical professionals around the world who diagnose and treat people with cerebral palsy. Their report was published in the August issue of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, the world’s leading journal on pediatric medicine.

** Please contact Jim Baker at (202) 973-7114 for event photographs **

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, visit www.ucp.org or call (800) 872-5827.

About United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation

The United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation has sponsored research relevant to cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities for more than 45 years. The Foundation continues to work with medical professionals around the world to find new ways to prevent the chronic condition that affects more than 765,000 Americans, and to improve the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities. For more information on the Foundation and advancements in cerebral palsy research, visit www.ucp.org or call (800) 872-5827.

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