Democrats Look To Expand Disability Services
(AP)
"The way I see it, [this] is a civil rights issue," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. "As far as I'm concerned, there is no health reform without the Community Choice Act."
Harkin is the sponsor of the Community Choice Act, one of two proposals introduced this year that that would significantly expand federal assistance for people in need of long-term care. Harkin and other advocates of the measures say they must pass this year – tying them to overall health care reform that the president and others have said will be accomplished now or never.
The proposals could face serious opposition, though, as Republicans continue to speak out against the growth of federal programs that come with hefty price tags.
"I think people are starting to get it, (but) they're a little worried about the cost," Harkin said Monday, speaking before a large crowd on Capitol Hill. "We've just got a couple hurdles to get over, and they're tough hurdles. They're like stairs to a person using a wheelchair, but we can overcome it."
