WHEREAS:

            AFSCME represents thousands of members with disabilities; and

WHEREAS:

            Numerous employment barriers still exist despite passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; and

WHEREAS:

            Americans with disabilities are a large and diverse population; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME affiliates continue to work to help members with disabilities secure their rights on the job and outside the workplace; and

WHEREAS:

            Out of an estimated 35 to 43 million people with physical or mental impairments, a significant portion are of working age; and

WHEREAS:

            For many their disability status, compounded by the lack of available and affordable assistance, renders them unable to get health insurance, and hurts their job prospects, despite the protection of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act; and

WHEREAS:

            Assistive technology has opened doors to people with disabilities to perform at the work place with minor accommodations; and

WHEREAS:

            Millions of people who become disabled and are unable to work have lost medical coverage; and

WHEREAS:

Many require long-term care and could remain in their homes or communities with some assistance; and

WHEREAS:

            In a health insurance industry that competes by insuring only the healthiest people, Americans with disabilities are often discriminated against, dubbed: "high risk" applicants because they may have higher health care costs, and those who are able to obtain insurance are often forced to pay the highest rates in the market and are faced with a lifetime limit on benefits; and

WHEREAS:

            Nearly one-half of hospitalizations of nursing home residents could be avoided with appropriate long-term care; and

WHEREAS:

            The lack of long-term care traps individuals with chronic illness in hospital beds or emergency rooms not because they need expensive medical care, but because there is nowhere else for them to go; and

WHEREAS:

            About 1 million children have severe disabilities that require long-term care services and support; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME is a prominent and active member of the disability advocacy movement which seeks to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME affiliates continue to work to help their members with disabilities secure their rights on the job and outside the workplace.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That the AFSCME Advisory Committee for Members with Disabilities supports real health care reform; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That the Committee will continue to work with other advocacy groups for legislation that will include long-term care coverage; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            That the Committee will continue to work for a bill that meets the needs of all AFSCME members and their families.

SUBMITTED BY:      

Albert Diop, President and Delegate
Geri Ruth, Delegate 
AFSCME Local 1549, Council 37
New York