Disability Integration Act of 2015

Deinstitutionalization and community integration. Enforcement of U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015 Social Security Administration/National Instant Criminal Background Check Data Match Proposal

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Legislation allowing individuals to establish their own special needs trusts including H.R. 670 and S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015, and H.R.34; H.R.1771, which would alter how income from annuities is counted towards Medicaid eligibility, H.R.1361, which would eliminate the state option to increase the home equity threshold for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, and other policies related to Medicaid coverage.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Transition to Independence Act (S.1604) creates a five year transition to independence medicaid buy in demonstration program. Complex Rehabilitation Technology Acts (S. 1013) (H.R. 1516) amend Medicare to cover complex rehabilitation technology that is designed to meet an individuals medical, physical, functional and capacity for activities for daily living. Lifespan Respite Care Act (H.R. 3248) increases the availability and coordination of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age. Disability Integration Act of 2015 (S.2427) amends state and local governments plans to house people with disabilities in defined living spaces. Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 670) (S.349) Disability Community Support for Protecting Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment of 2016 (H.R. 5210)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE

CIV - Civil Rights/Civil Liberties - Agency: Dept. of Justice - House and Senate HR 3765 and S. 3446 the ADA Education and Reform Act, sent a letter to the House and Senate in opposition to this legislation. Spoke with the Government and Accountability Office regarding voter accessibility at polling locations throughout the nation. GAO contacted United Spinal for data regarding the issues people with disabilities face at the polls. Support The Disability Integration Act - S. 2427/ H.R. 5689 - To prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes. United Spinal signed on to a letter to Congress in support of reauthorizing Money Follows the Person (MFP). MFP provides assistance, support and funding to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with physical disabilities, and older adults who want to transition to their own homes or a community residence instead of living in a facility. Since 2005, the program has assisted more than 51,000 people move out of institutions. United Spinal signed on to a comment letter to the US Department of Justice regarding the Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities: United Spinal has been and will continue to be committed to ensuring people with disabilities have full accessibility to Web information. Therefore, we would be remiss to not mention the disappointment our membership feels regarding the delay in issuing rules for web accessibility while the world of the internet continues to expand without a clear directive to be accessible, especially for the Title II covered entities.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $75,000

Transition to Independence Act (S.1604) creates a five year transition to independence medicaid buy in demonstration program. Complex Rehabilitation Technology Acts (S. 1013) (H.R. 1516) amend Medicare to cover complex rehabilitation technology that is designed to meet an individuals medical, physical, functional and capacity for activities for daily living. Lifespan Respite Care Act (H.R. 3248) increases the availability and coordination of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age. Disability Integration Act of 2015 (S.2427) amends state and local governments plans to house people with disabilities in defined living spaces. Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 670) (S.349) Disability Community Support for Protecting Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment of 2016 (H.R. 5210)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE

Legislation allowing individuals to establish their own special needs trusts including H.R. 670 and S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015; H.R.1771, which would alter how income from annuities is counted towards Medicaid eligibility, H.R.1361, which would eliminate the state option to increase the home equity threshold for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, and other policies related to Medicaid coverage.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

P.L. 111-148 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Health Information Technology Health workforce shortage issues, Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, nursing, graduate nursing education, nursing-managed health clinics Health wellness and prevention programs Ebola preparedness and response S. 1374, H.R. 2417, Foreign Medical Schools Accountability Act H.R. 3551, Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act S. 2427, Disability Integration Act

Client expense: $90,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Deinstitutionalization and community integration. Enforcement of U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015 Social Security Administration/National Instant Criminal Background Check Data Match Proposal

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

H. Res 393:Social Security Expansion/Resolution Budget Bill; social security disability insurance Retirement Security: Multiple employer plans, portable benefits H.R. 711: Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2015 House Republican Budget Resolution: Social Security Cuts ERISA Fiduciary duties, portable retirement benefits H.R. 5367: Seniors Security Act S. 2427 Disability Integration Act S. 293 SAVE Benefits Act SS trustees report Senate LHHS appropriations (SSA funding) H.R. 5367: Seniors Security Act of 2016: Medicare premiums Medicare: CMS proposed rule re: medicare part B prescription Social Security Benefit expansion & solvency bill Social Security Administration effective management PBGC Premiums

Client expense: $760,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Energy, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office

Deinstitutionalization and community integration. Enforcement of U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015 Social Security Administration/National Instant Criminal Background Check Data Match Proposal

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

United Spinal supports S. 2427 - the Disability Integration Act which ensures that people with disabilities have the right to choose where they live in the community. United Spinal signed onto letters to the leadership of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice opposing three bills that would prohibit individuals with disabilities aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they provide additional written notification to owners or operators of public accommodations. The bills also provide owners and operators additional periods of time (up to 90 days in some instances) to take corrective action. H.R. 4719: Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility Act or the COMPLI Act - Sponsored by: Representative Jerry McNerney (D-CA). H.R. 241: ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act of 2015 - Sponsored by Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA). H.R. 3765: ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - Sponsored by Representative Ted Poe (R-TX). United Spinal attended a meeting with AbilityOne, along with other members of the National Disability Leadership Alliance and as co-chair to the National Disabilities Leadership Alliance - Employment Team. United Spinal and others, explained the 7 principles of reform of the AbilityOne program in detail, namely: commitment to the expressed integration mandate set forth by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Olmstead v. L.C; implementation and development of best practices for employment of people with significant disabilities; elimination of conflicts of interest that contribute to exploitation, fraud, and abuse; payment of prevailing wages and the elimination of subminimum-wage payments; ensuring financial and operational transparency and accountability; better defining relationship with employer; prioritizing awarding of contracts available through the procurement process to disability-owned businesses, including self-employed individuals with disabilities. United Spinal signed onto a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Section 501 of the Rehab Act (nondiscrimination and affirmative action for federal employment of people with disabilities). We believe that some aspects of the rule must be strengthened. For example, the employment goals for employment of individuals with disabilities and targeted disabilities are too low, and the need for agencies to have a centralized accommodation fund is critical. Recruitment efforts must include formal linkage agreements with disability organizations as well as state disability service systems and vocational rehabilitation agencies, and must focus on people with targeted disabilities (including people who use supported and customized employment services) as well as people with disabilities more generally. Personal services enabling people with significant disabilities to work should include not just attendant care but also supported employment services that are critical for many people with intellectual and significant psychiatric disabilities to maintain employment.

Transition to Independence Act (S.1604) creates a five year transition to independence medicaid buy in demonstration program. Complex Rehabilitation Technology Acts (S. 1013) (H.R. 1516) amend Medicare to cover complex rehabilitation technology that is designed to meet an individuals medical, physical, functional and capacity for activities for daily living. Lifespan Respite Care Act (H.R. 3248) increases the availability and coordination of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age. Disability Integration Act of 2015 (S.2427) amends state and local governments plans to house people with disabilities in defined living spaces. Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 670) (S.349) Disability Community Support for Protecting Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment of 2016 (H.R. 5210)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Education, Dept of, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Legislation allowing individuals to establish their own special needs trusts including H.R. 670 and S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015; H.R.1771, which would alter how income from annuities is counted towards Medicaid eligibility, H.R.1361, which would eliminate the state option to increase the home equity threshold for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, and other policies related to Medicaid coverage.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

P.L. 111-148 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Health Information Technology Health workforce shortage issues, Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, nursing, graduate nursing education, nursing-managed health clinics Health wellness and prevention programs Ebola preparedness and response S. 1374, H.R. 2417, Foreign Medical Schools Accountability Act H.R. 3551, Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act S. 2427, Disability Integration Act

Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

P.L. 111-148 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Health Information Technology Health workforce shortage issues, Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, nursing, graduate nursing education, nursing-managed health clinics Health wellness and prevention programs Ebola preparedness and response S. 1374, H.R. 2417, Foreign Medical Schools Accountability Act H.R. 3551, Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act S. 2427, Disability Integration Act

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Legislation allowing individuals to establish their own special needs trusts including H.R. 670 and S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015, H.R.1771, which would alter how income from annuities is counted towards Medicaid eligibility, H.R.1361, which would eliminate the state option to increase the home equity threshold for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, and other policies related to Medicaid coverage.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

United Spinal supports S. 2427 - the Disability Integration Act. United Spinal opposes ADA Notification bill, HR 3765. Disability community stakeholders, including United Spinal Association, TASH, National Council on Independent Living and National Disability Rights Network met with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to discuss alleged fraudulent activity by the AbilityOne program and next steps related to the hiring, employing and recruiting of people with significant disabilities. The AbilityOne program provides employment opportunities to more than 45,000 people with significant disabilities including 3,000 veterans. The program is among the largest providers of jobs for individuals who are blind or who have significant disabilities. United Spinal signed on to comments to the Administration on Community Living in response to their draft Adult Protective Services Consensus Guidelines. The comments suggested the rules clarify standards and accessibility requirements, make the client the center of decision making, ensure there are appropriate numbers of experienced caseworkers, and emphasize the importance of working with protection and advocacy and developmental disability agencies. United Spinal signed on to a letter to Congress, opposing HR 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $75,000

Deinstitutionalization and community integration. Enforcement of U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015 Social Security Administration/National Instant Criminal Background Check Data Match Proposal

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Legislation allowing individuals to establish their own special needs trusts including H.R. 670 and S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015, H.R.1771, which would alter how income from annuities is counted towards Medicaid eligibility, H.R.1361, which would eliminate the state option to increase the home equity threshold for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, and other policies related to Medicaid coverage.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Transition to Independence Act (S.1604) creates a five year transition to independence medicaid buy in demonstration program. Complex Rehabilitation Technology Acts (S. 1013) (H.R. 1516) amend Medicare to cover complex rehabilitation technology that is designed to meet an individuals medical, physical, functional and capacity for activities for daily living. Able Act (H.R. 647) (S. 313) encourages and assists individuals with disabilities and their families to be able to save funds for maintaining their health, independence and quality of life. Lifespan Respite Care Act (H.R. 3248) increases the availability and coordination of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age. Disability Integration Act of 2015 (S.2427) amends state and local governments plans to house people with disabilities in defined living spaces.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act, relating to scientific research and treatments, all provisions; Public Law 113-295, Title IV, Division B (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014), relating to savings for individuals with disabilities, all provisions; S. 2702/H.R. 4795, ABLE To Work Act, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions; S. 2703/H.R. 4794, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers of ABLE account from or to college savings accounts, all provisions; S. 2704/H.R. 4813, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.163, Avonte's Law Act of 2015, relating to the safety of individuals with autism, all provisions; S. 2614/H.R. 4919, Kevin and Avonte's Law Act, relating to the safety of individuals with autism, all provisions; S. 1177, Every Child Succeeds Act of 2015, relating to career and technical education for students with disabilities, all provisions; S. 2718 Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence Act of 2015, relating to wrap-around services for students with disabilities, all provisions; H.R. 8, Student Success Act of 2015, relating to education for students with disabilities, all provisions; S. 298/H.R. 546, Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act of 2015, relating to services for medically complex children, provisions on title XIX of the Social Security Act; S. 2721/H.R. 3377, Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2016, relating to Social Security credit for caregivers, Social Security provisions on income deeming and eligibility; S. 2759/H.R. 4708, Credit for Caring Act of 2016, relating to income tax credits for caregivers, provisions on income tax credits; S. 1719/H.R. 3099, Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, related to a national family caregiving strategy, all provisions; S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015, relating to long-term assistance for individuals with disabilities, provisions on title XIX of the Social Security Act; S. 1604, Transition to Independence Act, relating to demonstration programs for individuals with disabilities, provisions on title XIX of the Social Security Act; Public Law 113-128, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014,relating to workforce development, provisions relating to pre-employment services for students with disabilities; Public Law 108-446, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, relating to special education, all provisions; Public Law 109-270, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, relating to career and technical education for students with disabilities, all provisions; Public Law 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, relating to post-secondary opportunities for students with autism, all provisions; Public Law 113-157 (Autism CARES Act of 2014), relating to autism research and services, all provisions; Innovation for Healthier Americans/Precision Medicine Initiative; TRICARE services for children with autism; Federal Employees Health Benefits program as it affects people with autism; implementation of the Affordable Care Act as it affects people with autism; education and employment of and health care and housing for people with autism; Medicaid, Social Security, and other benefit programs that affect people with autism; early access to care for people with autism; CMS final rules CMS 2249-F and CMS 2296-F, relating to home and community-based services, all provisions; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017, relating to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, provisions on 45 CFR Parts 144, 146, 147, 153, 154, 155, and 158; GAO study related to the transition needs of and services for adults with autism; financing for long-term services and supports; appropriations related to early intervention, education, caregiver support and services under title XIX of the Social Security Act; 2017 appropriations for Autism CARES and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program autism program; recognition of World Autism Awareness Day and Month.

Passage of HR. 670/S. 349, Special Needs Trust Fairness Act. Guidance on Pooled Trusts for ages 65+, 1396p(d)(4)(c) Medicaid Long-Term Services & Supports S. 2427, the Disability Integration Act S.843,Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2015

Client expense: $63,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Administration on Aging, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE

Deinstitutionalization and community integration. Enforcement of U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. S. 2427, Disability Integration Act of 2015

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office