Not Dead Yet strongly supports the Disability Integration Act (HR 555 and S 117) which would give people with disabilities and seniors the civil right to receive attendant services and other supports at home, instead of in nursing facilities and other institutions.
It addresses many of the concerns of those who would feel they have no option but assisted suicide by assisting people to live, for whatever time they have, rather than assisting them to die.
The main reasons reported for people seeking the suicide drugs in Oregon were loss of autonomy, feelings of being a burden, loss of the ability to engage in activities, loss of the ability to control bodily functions and loss of dignity. These are disability issues, not just “end of life” issues. Attendant and other services and supports in one’s home are the solution to this, not doctor assisted suicide!
The Disability Integration Act would make it a requirement that insurance that pays for services in institutional settings must pay for them at home as well. For example, if one needs hospice services that are normally paid for in a hospital or nursing facility, the Disability Integration Act requires that insurance pay for people to receive that service at home. This would apply to both government and private insurance.
The Disability Integration Act would address the feelings of being a burden on one’s family by allowing people to receive services and supports they need in their own homes, thus taking pressure off of the family for the day to day care of someone deemed terminal. They can receive help to maintain independence and to do things that they enjoy so that they can keep their sense of dignity.
As assisted suicide spreads to states with diverse populations, Blacks, people of color and poor people will be increasingly vulnerable to assisted suicide due to disparities in healthcare delivery, including discrimination in prevention, treatment and pain relief.
The Disability Integration Act had 42 cosponsors when it was reintroduced in the House in the 116th Congress on January 15, 2019, the 90th anniversary of the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At this writing, there are 232 cosponsors. The bill has a majority in the House, as well as the committees and subcommittees of jurisdiction. Over 850
national, state and local civil and human rights, faith based, justice reform, housing and disability organizations support this bipartisan, bicameral legislation. The bill has more than the 218 required cosponsors in the House, per the rules set forth by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
Despite this, the Disability Integration Act has been blocked by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Neither he, nor his staff will give ADAPT a clear reason why he is doing this.
Please call your representative and ask that they support the Disability Integration Act. If they are already cosponsors, ask that they contact Rep. Pallone and ask for a hearing. The freedom and liberty of disabled people of all ages hangs in the balance.
For more information about the Disability Integration Act, visit www.disabilityintegrationact.org.