L.O.O.P. (Legislative Organizing Opportunities Project)
L.O.O.P. has been meeting once a month for the last year and is made up of committed individuals who like to spend their free time advocating for the rights of individuals in our community and around the country. We gather to brainstorm ways we can make a difference and then make a plan to take action. If you are interested in learning more about L.O.O.P. and our activities, please email sbutler@swcil.org or call SCIL and ask for the Public Policy Advocate.
The 2010 Disability Rights Rally in Jefferson City was a success for Southwest Missouri. 35 individuals from our area traveled to the capitol for a day of legislative visits and gathering with our peers. Stay tuned for next year's rally and your chance to join us.
National Reform!
Cover Missouri's guide to Healthcare Reform
Disability Coalition on Healthcare Reform
Read more about home and community based services and national reform!
Read Steve Gold's Latest Update on National Reform
http://www.familiesusa.org/
Summary of final coverage provisions:
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8023-R.pdf
Implementation timeline:
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/8060.cfm
Reconciliation bill improvements:
http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/KEYIMPROVEMENTS.pdf
Implementation timeline:
http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/IMMEDIATE_PROVISIONS.pdf
Recent reports on preexisting conditions:
Missouri Report
A great way to educate your community about why healthcare reform is important is to you is to write letters to the editor of newspapers.
Click here to check out our "How to Be Your Own Advocate" booklet for more tips on writing letters and local media info!
Click for sample media from fellow disability advocate!
Click here for Springfield News leader LTE page!
If you need assistance, please contact sbutler@swcil.org or call 417-886-1188 (TTY and voice) and ask for the Public Policy Advocate.
SCIL is a member of the Disability Coalition on Healthcare Reform. We feel that in our current economy, we cannot afford not to provide guaranteed, affordable healthcare coverage with a choice of public and private plans that covers all medically necessary services.
Click here to read DCHR's one pager on why healthcare reform is important for people with disabilities!
Click here for more info on the Disability Coalition on Healthcare Reform!
Links to National Groups working on Healthcare Reform!
http://www.healthreform.gov/
http://www.familiesusa.org/
http://www.communitycatalyst.org/
http://healthreform.kff.org/
http://www.cfra.org/
http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/
http://www.faithfulreform.org/
http://www.herndonalliance.org/
http://www.aarp.org/
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/
http://files.cfra.org/pdf/public_plan.pdf
Links to state Groups and initiatives around federal healthcare reform!
http://www.covermissouri.org/
http://www.mohealthalliance.org/
http://www.mobudget.org/home.html
www.mohealthcareforall.org
http://ilcsemo.org/wp_legupdt/
Stay in the Loop!
Use the following links as resources to stay in the loop. Several of the below organizations have policy and legislative updates and listservs that you can be a part of for up-to-date information!
M.A.D.E.N. Alert (Missouri Advocates Disability Empowerment Network)
Missouri Assistive Technology Legislative Listserv
Missouri Budget Project's Policy Updates
Governor's Council on Disability Legislative Updates
If you would like to be added to the legislative alert list and have these alerts sent directly to your email inbox, please click on the link below and provide the following information in the body of your e-mail: name, address, phone number, and email address.
Click Here to be added to the Legislative Alert List
From the Desk of Our Public Policy Advocate...
It is important for us to educate our local officials, state legislators and congressional delegates all year long. If you need assistance in finding out who represents who, let us know. Many of us rely on programs and services funded through the state or federal government and they need to be protected. We need to make sure our elected officials are making good policy decisions that will positively impact people with disabilities in Southwest Missouri. It is also important to educate others in our communities and encourage them to talk with their legislators. Please stay tuned for updates and if you are interested in receiving emails when timely advocacy opportunities arrive, please email sbutler@swcil.org.
To learn more about the Missouri Disability Vote Project, click on the picture below.
It's never too late to sign up for the Permanently Disabled Absentee Voting List.
Click here for more information on how to get signed up!
“Vote as if your life depends upon it, because it does!” Justin Dart