Advocacy Updates

On December 21, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes both general government funding and coronavirus relief provisions. While the coronavirus relief provisions include some urgently needed aid, Congress once again failed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The government funding portion of the bill, however, does extend funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for three years, along with spousal impoverishment protections.

The Center, together with a broad cross section of the disability, aging, and civil rights organizations, urged the Commonwealth to prioritize individuals with disabilities, older adults, and others at higher risk of death from the virus, in its vaccine allocation strategy, and to work with these constituencies in the ongoing development and implementation of those plans. 

Following several months of coordinated advocacy by CPR and an impressive, diverse group of stakeholders, Massachusetts released a third, revised version of its Crisis Standards of Care (CSC).

CPR received the Mary Lou Maloney award from the Massachusetts’ Disability Policy Consortium at its 8th annual event on November 13, 2020. The award, which honors a person or organization that serves people with disabilities through systemic policy and research, recognized CPR’s innovative and intersectional advocacy to redress discriminatory practices during the pandemic. 

CPR has joined with a broad coalition of advocates and medical professionals to submit public comments on the most recent revisions to the Massachusetts Crisis Standards of Care (CSC).

The expedited nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court is one that has prompted much concern in the disability community. As with any other judicial nominee, we must consider Judge Barrett’s record and hers raises significant concerns for issues important to the disability community, including healthcare and disability rights, in cases that she would be hearing if confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. We urge everyone to please contact your Senators. Now’s the time to make our voices heard!

Today, CPR joined more than 50 other national, state, and local disability advocacy organizations in a letter sent to Senate leadership and Senate Judiciary committee leadership in opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to fill the seat left open by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Judge Barrett’s record raises significant concerns for the disability community, yet despite her concerning record, her nomination has been extraordinarily rushed. A nomination that, if confirmed, would result in a lifetime appointment, should be considered carefully and given appropriate scrutiny.

The Center for Public Representation mourns the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 87. Throughout her life, Justice Ginsburg was a champion for justice and equality for all, including people with disabilities. Her work has and will continue to better the lives of people with disabilities around the country for years to come.

Today, the US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) released its report regarding Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which allows people with disabilities to be paid subminimum wages, often pennies on the dollar, in segregated settings where they don’t interact with their nondisabled peers. We commend the Commission for its recommendation to end the use of Section 14(c) and expand access to competitive integrated employment – jobs in the community where people with disabilities work alongside, are paid the same wages, and have the same opportunities as their co-workers without disabilities.

Today, amidst rampant spread of COVID-19 infection throughout the country, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the resolution of a federal complaint filed by CPR and partners against Utah. Today’s resolution sets a national precedent, with OCR building off earlier resolutions of complaints regarding plans in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and weighing in on the discriminatory impact of a number of provisions common in many states’ rationing plans.