does hillary clinton support people with disabilities?

Question

what kind of good laws does she support for the disabled people?

cuz im disabled

Answer 1

no she does not she is very pro cure about autism. She even once said that that all people on the autistic spectrum should be cured. uhhhhhhhhhh what about bill gates, or einstein did they need to be cured? no they didnt. she should not become president. however i have heard very good things about Obama regarding support for the disabled. Im gonna vote for Obama

Answer 2

I feel secure that Hillary does support people with disabilities. I was once on the fence, but no longer. I feel she has good ideas about how to amend the way we do health care in this country.

Hillary and Bill Clinton have a relationship that is based on different values that many Americans hold. She is able to love him and accept him as the man he is. That speaks well of her ability to see past the stigma and prejudice many feel toward people with disabilities and see inside the person.

Answer 3

I am so sorry to say but... That is really something you should research for yourself... People on here are going to give you a biased opinion. Personally, I would never vote for Hilary in a million years based on the fact she doesn't seem to care her ex-President husband is a cheater AND a liar and she accepted it... and she has bad hair (LOL j/k)... You gotta get deep into her information and what she supports cuz what you might find will surprise you!

Answer 4

Like any other politician, she will say what ever it takes to get her elected, so I am sure publicly she is supporting you, however your chances of her improving your life if she gets elected is very slim. You will probably get less in the long run because she will raise taxes you can guarantee it. That means anything you buy will be going up.

Answer 5

I say yes she does she cares about health care issues.. and yes she does care about what her husband did.. but clinton was a man who got himself in some trouble it was based on his character not the man he is.. i thought he was a good president im voteing hilary i think she can make a difference ........

Answer 6

hillary clinton supports hillary clinton
as the rest of the poloticians support only themselves and could not possibly care less about you and me.

Answer 7

I would have to say no since sold out to "healthcare" lobbyists. She is basically for sale.

Obama and Kucinich are supportive of rights for persons with disabilities.

http://www.dennis4president.com/home/

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1

http://clinton.senate.gov/

http://obama.senate.gov/

http://kucinich.house.gov/

Answer 8

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
1).Do you support the creation and appointment of a permanent Assistant to the President for Disability Policy at the White House?

Ever since I walked door-to-door for a project for the Childrens Defense Fund where I sought to account for the number of disabled children not attending public school, I have recognized the need to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities. From that experience in 1973 to now, I have been passionate about working on behalf of individuals with special needs. As President, I vow to remain committed to this issue, and I look forward to working with disability groups. Part of this outreach will include the appointment of liaisons and officials who are committed to enriching the lives of all Americans who live with disabilities. I have not made any commitments about how I would organize the White House at this level, but I can assure you that the needs and interests of persons with disabilities will be well represented in my Administration and, most importantly, integrated into every relevant domestic and international policy discussion.



2).How will you make sure qualified people with disabilities will be a part of your political team and, if elected, as part of your administration?

I was proud of the contributions of the numerous professionals with disabilities who made significant contributions to policy development and implementation during the Clinton Administration. I plan to repeat, if not enhance, that record. As President, I pledge that I will appoint the most qualified, dedicated, and public-minded people to serve in government, and I believe those people will be diverse in physical ability, race, ethnicity and other characteristics. I feel there is a compelling need to appoint people who understand the challenges facing Americans with disabilities, as well as appointing those qualified individuals that have a physical disability. Throughout my career I have hired a diverse staff because I believe that is how to obtain the best advice  through a range of perspectives. I am eagerly looking forward to working with a broad segment of the population, regardless of physical ability.

EMPLOYMENT
1)What steps would you take to reduce employment barriers and improve employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities?

I strongly believe that we have an obligation to help those with disabilities achieve meaningful employment opportunities. As a testament to this commitment, I rigorously fought the Bush Administrations "WIA-Plus" proposal, which would have undermined the Vocational Rehabilitation program by allowing states to spend the money on a wide range of activities, including those that would not help individuals with disabilities address barriers to employment. As President, I pledge to financially support the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, while also proposing additional legislation that would empower Americans with disabilities. In addition, my husband was proud to sign into law the Work Incentives Improvement Act, which created the Ticket to Work legislation. This bill made it possible for individuals with disabilities to maintain their Medicaid coverage while working full-time. I believe people shouldnt lose their health insurance if they chose to go back to work, and that we should work aggressively to remove barriers to work for individuals with disabilities.

2)How would you reform the federal income support programs (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) so that beneficiaries enjoy a greater standard of living and participate more fully in the labor market?

I firmly believe that programs like and Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance provide an invaluable safety net for those individuals that might need governmental assistance. And I am committed to helping beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI not just make ends meet, but also improve their life and meaningfully participate in society. As President, I will examine these programs to see how they should be improved, including by increasing the benefit level, in order to ensure that Americans living with disabilities can enjoy a greater standard of living and participate in the labor market to the degree they are able. For example, I cosponsored the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2005, a bill that sought to phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, between 1993 and 2004, federal workers with significant disabilities left the federal workforce at rate more than seven times the general reduction in the federal workforce during that period. What actions would you take to ensure that qualified workers with disabilities are given meaningful opportunities to participate in the federal workforce at all levels?

I strongly feel that the federal government should spearhead the effort to provide meaningful employment opportunities to all individuals  especially individuals with disabilities. As President, I will encourage all executive agencies to aggressively recruit and retain qualified individuals with disabilities for federal service. Our country loses out when individuals with disabilities exit the federal workforce at higher rates than other workers. Individuals with disabilities bring a unique and important perspective to all aspects of governance. As President, I will ensure that the federal government carefully tracks data on the hiring and length of employment of individuals with disabilities and that we take corrective action if we continue to fall short of equity between disabled and abled workers. I will also ensure that we rely on best practices to increase the number of individuals with disabilities who are hired, increase their job satisfaction levels, and increase their duration of service so that it is at least on par with all workers.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
1)What steps would you take to ensure that people with disabilities have access to affordable, quality health care that is responsive to their needs?

As President, I will enact legislation to provide high quality affordable health care coverage for all Americans, including those with disabilities. I will ensure that disability advocates are included in the process of developing the legislation to provide health care coverage for all Americans, and that the system that I ultimately sign into law addresses the particular needs of individuals with special needs. Today, even those individuals who have health insurance are often under-insured  that is, when they need treatment, their health insurer denies the claim. These practices can have a particularly damaging impact on individuals with disabilities who often need care urgently. I have been working to address the major problems in our health care system for fifteen years. I have taken on the health insurance companies and other special interests that too often work against the interests of those in need of care. In addition to addressing discriminatory insurance practices, we have to make sure that theres affordable health coverage for all.

To that end, we need to develop the best approaches to delivering quality cost effective care that meets the needs of individuals instead of continuing with the antiquated policy approach of today that applies a one size fits all model

Beyond co-sponsoring the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2005, Ive also supported the numerous and inadequate state-based medically needy programs that have a bias towards nursing home rather than home and community based coverage. I believe its time to focus on patients needs rather than on bureaucratic constraints imposed long ago. As President, I will continue to champion these policies.

2)How or will you use managed care principles to deliver healthcare services?

Poorly run fee for service as well as managed care is the wrong prescription for everyone, particularly people with disabilities. Rather than applying old line thinking of managed care or fee for service, I believe we should move towards patient-centered care. When my husband was President, I lead the fight for the Patients Bill of Rights in order to protect patients access to specialty care. I have also proposed establishing an independent public-private Best Practices Institute. This Institute would be a partnership among the public and the private sector that would let doctors, nurses and other health professionals know what drugs, devices, surgeries and treatments work best. These programs will be able to allow us to deliver the most affordable, and the highest quality, healthcare services to all Americans.

3)How would you improve the quality of health and rehabilitation services provided to veterans with disabilities?

Our country owes a duty to our veterans for their service and as President, I will honor that duty. The current administration has done an inadequate job in providing quality healthcare and rehabilitation services to our veterans, especially those returning from recent combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. And Ive been working to address these problems. I have previously proposed an independent review of denied claims to help veterans get the benefits they deserve. I have also passed legislation, called the Heroes at Home, to provide specialized treatment for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and help them and their families reintegrate into society; and introduced the Restoring Disability Benefits for Injured and Wounded Warriors Act of 2007 and the Protecting Military Family Financial Benefits Act of 2007, which would ensure that wounded soldiers receive the disability benefits they need and deserve and to further protect military family financial benefits. As President, I would continue to fulfill our promise to those veterans that have so selflessly fought for our country.

4)How would you improve the quality of health and rehabilitation services provided to Native Americans with disabilities? Do you support the reauthorization of the Indian Healthcare Act?

I am a strong supporter of developing innovative ways to ensure that health and rehabilitation services are provided to minority groups, particularly Native Americans. In this regard, I am a cosponsor of current Senate Bill 1200, a bill that would expand and reauthorize the Indian Healthcare Act. As President, I will continue to outreach to those groups like Native Americans that have historically been denied high-quality healthcare.

5)How will you assure people with disabilities have fair access to Medicare Part D prescriptions?

As a Senator, I have been actively involved with ensuring fair and equal access to Medicare Part D prescription drugs. I previously introduced legislation in the Senate to help the most vulnerable seniors and disabled Americans transition to new Medicare plans. I have also urged the administration to aid local pharmacists and beneficiaries, helping these individuals better administer the new Medicare program. As President, I will continue to fight for fair access to Medicare Part D prescriptions and to ensure that policies do not undermine continuity of care for any population served. For example, patients who have been relying on particular pharmaceutical treatments that are most appropriate for their needs should not be suddenly forced to switch medications by indiscriminate cost cutting practices by pharmacy benefit managers. Having said this, we do need to have a better understanding of the best pharmaceutical treatment options for all patients, which is why I have proposedestablishing an independent public-private Best Practices Institute. This Institute would be a partnership among the public and the private sector that would let doctors, nurses and other health professionals know what drugs, devices, surgeries and treatments work best.

6)How will you address the inequities caused by the Medicare "homebound" rule?

I believe that the Medicare homebound rule has been enforced in a far too restrictive manner. As President, I will embrace a fair modification of Medicare rules so that disabled Americans are able to live their lives fully, without fear of losing their Medicare benefits. I look forward to addressing this inequality when I am President.

7)Do you support ongoing Congressional efforts to ensure mental health parity in health insurance (S.558, H.R. 1367)?

I think that our government ought to ensure parity in health insurance coverage of mental health benefits. That is why I have cosponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. This bill would prohibit employers and health plans from imposing durational treatment limits and financial limitations on coverage for mental illness that do not apply to all other medical conditions. I believe this bill is one step in our effort to provide meaningful mental health care coverage.

LONG TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
1)How would you address America's increasing need for home and community-based long-term services and supports (such as personal assistance services, respite care, and other supports)?

We need to have a new national long term care policy that recognizes a realistic division of responsibility between public and private payers. Today, all we have is an institutionally-based pseudo-long-term health care system called Medicaid, which is supplemented all too poorly by expensive, inadequate private long term care insurance. I believe all Americans should be able live in their homes and communities for as long as they are able, and that home and community-based long term services are essential to achieving that goal. I have been a strong champion for these services and support in the Senate. Recently, I joined with my colleagues to introduce the Home and Community-Based Services Copayment Equity Act, which would eliminate Medicare Part D co-payments for more than one million low-income Americans, including dual eligible residents of AL/RC facilities and other licensed facilities such as group homes for people with developmental disabilities, psychiatric health facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. I was also proud that my bill, the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which authorized almost $300 million over five years for grants to increase the availability of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with special needs regardless of age, was enacted into law. As President, I will continue to champion access to long term home and community based services, and once again work to bring together all stakeholders to develop a far more rational American long term care policy.

2)Do you support the Community Choice Act of 2007 (S.799, H.R. 1621) and/or the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act of 2007 (CLASS Act of 2007)?

I strongly support the Community Choice Act of 2007, a bill that would amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports. In fact, I am one of the thirteen cosponsors of the bill. As President, I will continue to champion causes like the Community Choice Act.


3)What other steps would you take to help states implement the Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision and help address the institutional bias in the current Medicaid system?

I believe that the Olmstead opinion was a tremendously important moment in the disability movement. The Court affirmed that states have an obligation to move individuals with disabilities from institutional settings into more integrated settings in the community if moving them would not fundamentally alter the states service systems. As President, I would support efforts to help states comply with this and other Supreme Court decisions, and I would continue to abide by Executive Order 13217, which directed agencies to identify federal laws, regulations, policies and practices that impede community participation by people with disabilities, and I would also make certain that the office of Civil Rights is enforcing current law, for a law without enforcement is nothing more than an empty promise

4)Will you propose integrating acute and long-term services by using integrated managed care principles?


I have proposed to transform care of todays chronically ill population to improve outcomes by using state-of-the-art chronic care coordination models within federally-funded programs, such as Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), to provide care for Americans afflicted with these costly, multi-faceted and difficult to manage illnesses. I have also proposed to allow multispecialty clinics, private plans and provider-sponsored organizations to bid on and provide coordinated care services. I also believe we need stronger incentives for participation in chronic care management programs, and have proposed establishing an independent public-private Best Practices Institute, which would be a partnership among the public and the private sector, to finance comparative effectiveness research.

5)How will you address the shortage of community direct care attendants?

I think we ought to be particularly concerned about the dire shortage of community direct care attendants. I have tried to address this problem directly by proposing programs that would train family caregivers as direct care attendants so that these family caregivers can receive compensation for their payment. I would continue to champion this and other solutions to the shortage issue as well as providing added incentives, such as tax credits, to encourage more individuals to practice the selfless profession of caring for others. I also believe that we can and must work with labor representatives to serve as hubs for training and placement for all long term care settings, particularly those within the community.

6)How will you address the lack of coordination between Medicare and Medicaid policies?

To often Medicaid is the poor step child of Medicare and is treated as such within the federal government. But lack of coordination leads to wasteful, poorly coordinated care that produces little more than a cost shifting game between two programs. We need to make certain that federal and state administers of these programs work in close consultation with all stakeholders, including consumers and providers, to do a much better job in resolving enrollment, operations, benefits, payment, and appeals issues.

HOUSING
1)What would you do to increase the availability of affordable, accessible, integrated housing opportunities in the community for low and moderate income people with disabilities and their families?

I think providing affordable, accessible housing opportunities is one of the most important keys to empowering citizens to be productive contributors to the broader community. While not unique to the disability community, it is even more important to people with disabilities. That is why I proposed the 21st Century Housing Act last year. The Act would reform and modernize the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and allow for a long needed investment in personnel and technology infrastructure to remain competitive and useful to consumers. The 21st Century Housing Act provides the FHA with the flexibility to offer loan terms up to 50 years to decrease monthly mortgage payments and reduced or zero down payment plans to families that lack the upfront cash for a down payment. These types of program would extend housing opportunities to all individuals, especially those families that depend on governmental assistance.


2)How will you assure the vigorous implementation of all Fair Housing Laws?

While I believe that we ought to ensure that all Fair Housing laws are enforced, I think we ought to have the government lead by example. To ensure that the government housing authorities act fairly, I have introduced the Federal Housing Fairness Act. This legislation would increase the FHA loan limits so that working families in high-cost areas can use the program. This Act would also ensure that working families in high cost of living states are not denied the benefit of this program. Likewise, I would champion rigorous enforcement of laws that govern fairness in private housing.

3)How will you assure that HUD implements programs that will assist states in complying with the Olmstead decision?

I am committed to ensuring that HUD can implement its objectives and also assist states in complying with federal law and federal court precedent. Towards this end, I proposed the Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act in 2005, which established a $250 million Reinvestment Fund authorization within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This fund was specifically designed to allow local community leaders and elected authorities to develop initiatives in cooperation with private-sector partners. As President, I will continue to fund HUD, and oversee the agency to ensure that HUD is fulfilling its objectives.

TRANSPORTATION
1)What would you do to expand access to affordable, accessible transportation for people with disabilities, especially in rural areas?

I am very aware that providing meaningful transportation opportunities to people with disabilities is an invaluable first step in empowering individuals to fulfill their potential and live self-sufficiently. Given the need for accessible and affordable transportation, I have consistently supported the Community Service Block Grant Program, a program that traditionally helps fund and support transportation projects (among other projects). Additionally, as a Senator, I have tried to secure funding for agencies that provide transportation services to those individuals with disabilities. As President, I will continue to proudly champion programs that ensure people with disabilities can have access to transportation resources.

EDUCATION
1)How would you ensure that students with disabilities are included within and accommodated as part of the accountability measures of No Child Left Behind?

While I have many concerns about the No Child Left Behind Act, one aspect of the law that I am pleased about is that it shines a spotlight on the education of students with special needs and ensures that schools focus greater attention and resources on getting all children achieving at a proficient level. At the same I think it is important that the assessment provisions allow children with special needs to receive the accommodations they need to demonstrate their true abilities on the assessments, and that we invest in programs to increase the number of qualified special education teachers. In addition, I have co-sponsored the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act, which would have significantly improved access to instructional materials for students who are blind or have other print disabilities by creating an efficient system for acquiring and distributing these materials in specialized formats, which include braille, synthesized speech, digital text, digital audio, and large print.

2)Do you support full federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

I am a strong proponent of full federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and have consistently advocated for this policy throughout my tenure in the Senate. In 2005, I sponsored an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill to increase funding of IDEA by $4 billion. I think it is disgraceful that the federal government has promised to provide 40 percent of the cost of educating a student with special needs yet has never appropriated more than 20 percent. In addition, I have long embraced provisions that would increase the pool of qualified special education teachers, provide those teachers with additional professional development opportunities, and provide targeted support for the growing number of children with behavioral and emotional disorders.

3)What ideas do you have for strengthening federal enforcement of IDEA?

While I am a very strong proponent of IDEA, I also believe that the federal government can do more to champion the values underlying the IDEA program through enforcement. I co-sponsored the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act, which was signed into law on December 3, 2004. This bill strengthened IDEA by expanding monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and enabling parents and schools to resolve disputes equitably while also improving access to professional development for all teachers, improving students transitions from high school to adulthood, and involving parents more thoroughly in the education of their children. As President, I will continue to seek out ways to ensure that IDEA is enforced in order to ensure that it is truly effective in achieving the goal of having every child with special needs receive a free, appropriate public education.

4)What ideas do you have for increasing the high school graduation rate of students served by IDEA?

I believe that we ought to commit ourselves to improving high school graduation rates for all students, especially students with disabilities. Improving graduation rates often starts with improving the quality of all teachers and staff who are responsible for educating students. Towards this end, I was a proud co-sponsor of the Personnel Excellence for Children with Disabilities Act, which promised to help schools recruit and retain new special education teachers, and better prepare general education teachers and staff to work with children with special needs. This bill also pledged to make research-based, comprehensive professional development available to teachers. Much of the language in this bill was included in S. 1248, which was signed into law on December 3, 2004. I am also a strong supporter of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which helps students with disabilities make a smooth transition from high school to employment. I think we can do much more to help students with special needs envision an exciting future for themselves in which they live self sufficiently and fulfill their potential.

5)How would you improve services for students transitioning from school to employment? From high school to higher education?

I think we ought to focus our attention not only on providing educational opportunities, but also on ensuring students transition from primary school to other endeavors. That is why I support the Vocational Rehabilitation program, which helps ensure that every student with a disability has a plan for transitioning out of high school and into college or full time employment. I think this program needs additional funding so that it can reach more students. Too many states have been forced to enter an order of selection where they have to choose between students with varying levels of need. I believe this program should serve every young person with a disability and start reaching out to them when they are even younger. As President, I will increase funding for Vocational Rehabilitation and work with states to improve their programs so that they are sharing best practices and more effectively reaching all of the students who could benefit from these services.

TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
1)Do you support legislative measures to require that Internet technologies be made accessible to and usable by people with disabilities?

I am a strong proponent of ensuring that all individuals have access to internet technologies. For example, I recently proposed a bill in the Senate that would evaluate best practices and foster access to technology in underserved areas. With respect to individuals with disabilities, I would strongly support initiatives that make internet technology more accessible. In so doing, I would welcome comments from interested groups, and my administration would continue to seek innovative ways of promoting meaningful access to internet technologies.

2)What measures would you propose to ensure that consumer electronic and telecommunications devices are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities?

I think the key method to ensuring that consumer electronic and telecommunications devices are accessible is to vigilantly enforce the Americans with Disability Act. Vigilant enforcement of the ADA requires that a President appoint executive and judicial officials who are committed to the needs of the disabled population. In addition to enforcing the ADA, I would listen and work with the Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC), a federal advisory committee comprising representatives from more than 40 companies, organizations and federal agencies. I believe that organizations like TEITAC can offer fresh ideas and present innovative strategies to meet the needs of disabled individuals. Lastly, I would continue to help educate government agencies, private corporations, and the public about the laws requirements.

3)How would you ensure enforcement of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act?

I have strongly embraced Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (requiring federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities) and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act (requiring telecommunications products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities). As President, I would ensure enforcement of both sections by appointing responsible and qualified leaders to the US Access Board and the Federal Communication Commission (the agency charged with overseeing Section 255). Additionally, I would champion efforts by the US Access Board to thoroughly investigate complaints from the public concerning insufficient compliance with Section 508 and Section 255. Lastly, I would expand government outreach programs so the public would be aware of their rights under the Rehabilitation Act and Telecommunications Act.

4)Would you support restoration of full funding for the Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act programs?


I am a strong proponent of the Individuals with Disabilities Act programs, including the programs that allow for access to technology for students, and I believe that the government ought to fund the Acts programs. In 2005, I offered an amendment to increase funding for IDEA by $4 billion. My amendment failed narrowly but my commitment to this issue has not waned. I am excited by the rapid development of techniques that can assist students with disabilities in their cognitive development. I will do everything in my power to ensure that those technologies get into the hands of children who need them in order to enable them to learn, grow, and fulfill their potential. As President, I would continue to proudly fund the Individuals with Disabilities Act programs.

VOTING
1)What steps would you take as President to ensure that voters with disabilities are able to vote privately and independently, consistent with the requirements of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)?

I am strongly committed to protecting voting rights for voters with disabilities. As a Senator, I introduced legislation the Count Every Vote Act, which requires that at least one voting machine per precinct provided voters with disabilities and language minority voters to cast a vote in a private and independent manner. As President, I will continue to proudly protect the voting rights of all Americans by empowering all members of our community to be able to vote.

2)Would you require the Census Bureau, in its surveys of people with disabilities, to ask questions regarding whether the respondents are registered to vote and whether they voted in the last election?

I think that it is important for our government to be aware of the needs of all people, especially those with disabilities. I learned this lesson in 1973, when I went door-to-door and realized that so many children with special needs were not attending school. Given the value of this data collection, I would support measures that would require the Census Bureau to collect data on disabled populations, so that the government may fully respond to challenges facing these individuals.

CIVIL RIGHTS
1)Of the existing members of the U.S. Supreme Court, which justices do you consider models for the kinds of federal judges you would appoint if elected president?

I strongly feel that the nomination of Supreme Court justices is one of the most important roles of the next President. As a Senator, I strongly opposed and voted against the recent nominations of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, because I felt that that they did not respect the sanctity of constitutional rights. As President, I pledge to nominate justices with the highest standards of integrity, intelligence, and respect for judicial precedent.

2)Do you support an ADA Restoration Act, such as the bill introduced in the last Congress?

I am a strong believer in the value of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a testament to this commitment, I was a cosponsor of a Senate resolution that recognized and honored the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the ADA.

As President, I will continue to recognize and embrace the values of the ADA, and I look forward to working with disability-minded groups to protect and strength civil rights protections for Americans with disabilities.

3)What steps will you take to protect the diminishment of the civil rights protections under the ADA?

As President, I will pledge to uphold the values intrinsic within the ADA. I will stand proudly with the civil rights community and urge Congress to vigilantly protect the needs of individuals living with disabilities. I will welcome advocacy groups to meet with my administration and voice their concerns. Lastly, I will appoint judges that understand and respect the value of civil rights.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
1)Do you support U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocal?

I embrace the values that animate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I believe the Convention was undertaken with the same goals that the United States had in enacting the ADA  namely, the goals of empowering individuals with disabilities and integrating these individuals into all aspects of society. Given the virtuous goals embedded within the Convention, I would champion these principles as President.
October 2, 2007

Clinton Calls for GAO Investigation to Examine Long-Term Care Ownership Structures

Call Comes as a Result of New York Times Analysis of Nursing Homes Across the Country


Washington, DC  Citing a September 23 New York Times article that reviewed more than 15,000 nursing homes across the country, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation to examine the nation's long-term care infrastructure. In a letter to Comptroller General of the United States, David M. Walker, Senator Clinton expressed her concern over accountability and the ability of the states and federal government to provide appropriate oversight and sanctions, and highlighted the decline in the quality-of-care related to the purchase of nursing home facilities by private investment groups.

"I am deeply concerned that these new ownership structures may allow private investment firms to effectively control, and profit from, the operations of nursing homes without taking a formal ownership or management stake in the nursing home itself. As a result, these hybrid structures may make it difficult, if not impossible, for federal and state regulators to identify and effectively penalize repeat offenders," Senator Clinton wrote.

"The vast majority of the nations nursing homes provide quality care to their residents, Clinton emphasized. "But the abuses cited in the story are intolerable and we must do all that we can to weed them out and shut them down."

[A copy of Senator Clintons letter to the GAO follows]


The Honorable David M. Walker
Comptroller General of the United States
United States Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548

Dear Mr. Walker:

An article in the September 23rd edition of The New York Times on the abhorrent conditions in a number of nursing homes across the country reinforces my concern that we are not doing enough to protect and care for our seniors living in long-term care facilities. The article documented a troubling trend that facilities which are purchased by private investment groups experience marked declines in the quality-of-care, alongside cuts in nursing staff and other resources. A review of more than 15,000 nursing homes since 2000 revealed that despite sub-standard conditions, these nursing homes and the private investment firms that purchased them have gone largely unsanctioned by federal and state regulators because they have employed complex hybrid ownership structures.

I am deeply concerned that these new ownership structures may allow private investment firms to effectively control, and profit from, the operations of nursing homes without taking a formal ownership or management stake in the nursing home itself. As a result, these hybrid structures may make it difficult, if not impossible, for federal and state regulators to identify and effectively penalize repeat offenders. As The New York Times analysis highlighted, regulators may be unaware that the same private investment firm is responsible for many seemingly unconnected nursing home operations. In addition, such ownership structures may obscure how Medicare and Medicaid dollars are being used, enabling nursing homes to inflate their own profits at the taxpayers expense.

These revelations come at a time of crisis in our nations long-term care infrastructure. Just last year, nearly one in every five nursing homes that received federal funds was cited for serious deficiencies in care. And earlier this year, we learned that, over the past five years, nearly half of the nursing homes that regulators had identified as having an established history of serious medical deficiencies continued to repeatedly fail federal requirements and still receive federal funds.

The vast majority of the nations nursing homes provide quality care to their residents. I believe the bad apple practices cited in The New York Times story are the exception, not the norm. Having said this, the abuses cited in the story are intolerable and we must do all we can to weed them out and shut them down.

I am confident that the long-term care industry can continue to flourish while ensuring our seniors receive the care they deserve. Private investment firms can have a constructive role to play in this market, helping restructure, retool and improve profitability at struggling nursing homes. However, this newly-released data linking hybrid ownership structures with serious quality-of-care deficiencies in our nations nursing homes raises important questions about accountability and the effectiveness of our existing regulatory framework. It also raises the critical issue of how inadequate staffing and a substandard commitment to health professional and paraprofessional recruitment and retention can decrease quality as well as patient and family confidence in the nation s nursing home industry.

For this reason, I would ask that you investigate the link between hybrid ownership structures of federally-funded nursing homes and poor quality of care. In particular, I would appreciate an assessment of the ownership structures of the 63 nursing homes that the GAO identified in March 2007 as having a history of serious deficiencies in care. Finally, I would ask that you make recommendations on any needed changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulatory framework or other federal laws to bring greater transparency and accountability to federally-funded nursing homes.

I thank you for your attention to this matter. Please keep me apprised of the status of this request.

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton