Arc-US Alert Children's SSI (fwd)

[F. Pennell]

Here is a message from the Arc re changes in children's SSI.  Children who
are eligible for SSI are also eligible for Medicaid.  Loss of SSI benefits
will threaten access to these important medical benefits which represent a
signfiicant source of funding for assistive technology/durable medical
equipment.  The national Arc is looking for families who are threatened
with loss of benefits. If you know any such families, please contact your
local Arc or the national Arc at (202) 785-3388. Francie Pennell 
***Message Separator****

Subject: re: Arc-US Alert Children's SSI

THE CAPITOL INSIDER
Weekly news and information from our Nation's Capital
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A Weekly Publication Produced Through The Arc's Governmental Affairs
Enhancement Program,
1730 K Street NW, Suite 1212, Washington, DC 20006.  Phone (202)785-3388; Fax
(202) 467-4179; E-mail :  arcga at radix.net
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December 9, 1996: Volume 1, Issue 30

MAJOR ACTIONS LAST WEEK:
 
* Hundreds of thousands of families whose children receive SSI as a result
of an Individualized Functional Assessment (IFA) or due to maladaptive
behavior began receiving notices of eligibility reviews this past week,
although the White House has still not set a new eligibility standard.  It
is rumored that President Clinton is considering three separate plans,
which would drop either 60,000 children, 100,000 children, or 150,000
children.  To address the crisis that the new welfare law will invariably
cause, The Arc's Governmental Affairs office faxed out a Welfare
Implementation Action plan to all state offices, and another copy with
supporting information should arrive very soon. 

*  As the SSI issue continues to heat up, media interest is growing rapidly.
 During the past week Mary Ford of The Arc's Governmental Affairs Office
was interviewed by CNN, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times
about SSI, and numerous press calls from local papers continue to come
into the Governmental Affairs Office.  The majority of reporters are also
interested in speaking with parents of children on SSI who will be
reviewed, so chapters of The Arc should be on the lookout for families of
children on SSI who receive their notices.  If a family receives a notice
and is willing to discuss their situation with a reporter, please pass
their name on the Governmental Affairs Office.

*  A bipartisan coalition  of 26 Members of Congress sent a letter to FCC 
Chairman Reed Hundt opposing the advertising of hard liquor on television.
 In the letter, the Members of Congress told Chairman Hundt that "Cable
and broadcast advertising of hard liquor is detrimental to the public
interest." 
 
Signers of the letter include Reps. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.), John Kasich (R-
Ohio), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) Jim Hansen (R-Utah), Maurice Hinchey (D-
New York), and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.).  To assist chapters 
interested in fighting the alcohol advertising, The Arc's Governmental
Affairs  Office distributed an action packet to state offices of The Arc
this past
week.

*  The Senate met briefly last week to elect their leaders for the coming
year,and like the House, generally re-elected  those Members who were in 
leadership positions during the 104th Congress.  Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
will continue as Senate Majority Leader with Sen. Don Nickles (R- Oklahoma) as 
Majority Whip, and Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S. Dakota) will return as Minority 
Leader with Sen. Wendell Ford (D-Kentucky) as Minority Whip.  The Senate 
also began considering Committee Assignments, and while final assignments 
won't be completed until mid-January, several key decisions were made.   A 
move that has major implications for disability policy in the 105th Congress
 was the decision by Sen. Dan Coats (R-In.) not to seek the Chairmanship of 
the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee (which handles a 
tremendous amount of disability legislation), leaving a clear path for Sen. 
Jeffords (R-Vermont) to assume the Chairmanship.

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Happy Chanukah!
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