Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act Action Hub

NCIL Talking Points (New!)

Action Alert: Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 has been introduced, Sponsors needed!

NCIL Thanks Senator Harkin for Introducing the Promoting Wellness for People with Disabilities Act of 2007

Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2006 S. 1050 & H.R. 3294
Quick Summary & Talking Points

Section 1.  Act to be cited as the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2006.

•   S.1050 was introduced March 2007 by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).
• Companion bill H.R. 3294 was introduced September 2007 by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18)

Section 2.  Authorizes the Access Board to establish accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment -- including examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, and mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other radiological equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by medical professionals.

• Inaccessibility within the doctor’s office lowers the quality of care. Besides making the patient uncomfortable, the doctor is unable to treat the person as well as they could by using accessible equipment.
• Using inaccessible equipment is dangerous for everyone. The use of inaccessible examination equipment creates unnecessary risks for all parties involved--- the patient, the doctor, and staff.
• Prevents health complications by seeing people with disabilities in the office instead of the E.R. Besides access to care issues, many people with disabilities are afraid of going to doctors because of bad experiences with inaccessible equipment. Much of the fear could be resolved by having accessible equipment.

Section 3.  Establishes a national wellness grant program that will help fund:
 (a)  programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition or fitness that focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities;
 (b)  preventive health screening programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions;
(c)  athletic, exercise, or sports programs that provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to increase their physical activity in a dedicated or adaptive recreational environment.
Creates a National Advisory Committee on Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities to set priorities, review grant proposals, make recommendations for funding and evaluate the progress of the program.

• The wellness grant program would help fund programs to prevent secondary conditions such as; smoking cessations for people with disabilities; weight control; fitness programs; preventative health screening programs; enhance athletic or sports programs as well as nutrition programs that focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
  
  
• The average health and wellness program are not accessible or inclusive to people with disabilitie.  Even though people with disabilitiess may be able to get into the door of the gym (emphasis on “may”) it is unlikely that the equipment can be used by people with disabilities.
  
  
• There is a lack of access or knowledge about adaptive recreation. Many people would enjoy activities like inclusive bowling, biking, or canoeing but they do not know it is available to them, and if it is, it is costly or not available locally.
  
  
• Promoting Independence and Community Integration. Adaptive recreation and programs bring people that would often be home all day out to participate in the community. Adaptive recreation is a tool of empowerment and inclusion.
  
  
• Accessible health and wellness programs cuts down on costs by preventing secondary conditions. These programs can also serve as prevention measures to secondary condition such as depression, isolation
  and self worth.

Section 4.  Improves education and training of physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities,  as a condition of receiving federal funds under the Public Health Act (Health Professions Education) and Medicare Graduate Medical Education programs.  Also adds this issue as an eligible use of funds for existing grant programs under Public Health Act (Health Professions Education title).

• Competency and clinical skills will be required in medical and dental schools, along with their residency programs, to increase training and provide cultural sensitivity to patients with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
  
  
• Better communication means better care. Communication plays a vital role in a visit to the doctor’s office. By better understanding the problem, medical professionals can provide care more adequately.
  
  
• Good relationships between doctors and patients cut down on costs. Less visits to the E.R. and more visits to the Primary Care Physician equates to less medical expenses and better health for the individual.

ACTION ALERT

Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 has been introduced, Sponsors needed!

April 15, 2007

Last month NCIL started collecting stories from across the country in support of Senator Harkin’s Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007. Senator Harkin was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and now he has introduced break-though legislation to increase the availability of accessible healthcare equipment. The bill also creates a national wellness grant program to support the prevention of secondary conditions and training requirements to increase competency and clinical skills for healthcare providers. NCIL has promised Senator Harkin support for this legislation, S.1050. 

NOW is the time to secure co-sponsors in the Senate and promote a companion bill in the House of Representatives!

Please call your elected members of Congress and tell them your stories about the lack of accessible medical diagnostic equipment and ask them to sign onto the Senate Bill or support a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee. We need the support of all Senators, particularly those on the HELP committee to get this legislation passed, and to improve health and wellness opportunities for people with disabilities.

If you have further questions or need more information, please contact Elizabeth Leef, Health Care Policy Analyst at 1710 Rhode Island Ave, NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20036 (202) 207-0334, or e-mail Elizabeth@ncil.org.

For examples, see http://ilru.virtualhosts.com/cgi-bin/forum/board_show.pl?bid=36

NCIL Thanks Senator Harkin for Introducing the Promoting Wellness for People with Disabilities Act of 2007

 June 18, 2007

The Honorable Tom Harkin
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Senator Harkin:

Thank you for introducing the Promoting Wellness for People with Disabilities Act of 2007.  The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) strongly supports legislation that will promote health and wellness, and prevent diseases and secondary conditions in individuals with disabilities.
NCIL is the oldest cross disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents over 700 organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.
NCIL has been collecting stories from people with disabilities across the nations in regards to accessing medical equipment in their communities.  Results have indicated that this is a serious problem for people with disabilities.
Health and well-being are the basis of independent living, productivity and participation in our community. People with disabilities need and deserve quality health care. Health care professionals must be trained to provide high-quality services that are responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.  Providers need to know how to set up accessible health care environments, encourage health promotion activities, and communicate effectively and sensitively with their patients with disabilities.  The Promoting Wellness for People with Disabilities Act requires the establishment of standards for accessibility for medical diagnostic equipment, provides funds to states to promote the health and wellness of people with disabilities, and requires entities providing medical education to incorporate information and training regarding treating people with disabilities into their existing training programs.
NCIL applauds you for your ongoing commitment to individuals with disabilities and their families and look forward to working with you to move this bill in the 110th Congress.

Sincerely,

Kelly Buckland                                             John A. Lancaster