[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT UPON INTRODUCTION OF THE HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED CARE ACT

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                          HON. STEVE GUNDERSON

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that I became a Member 
of the Task Force on Disabilities on the fifth anniversary of the 
signing of the American with Disabilities Act. As part of that Task 
Force, I would like to introduce today legislation that encourages the 
principles of home- and community-based care for the disabled on behalf 
of the advocates of personal attendants care.
  Home- and community-based care allows disabled individuals maximum 
freedom by providing them with the necessary help to start their day, 
feed themselves, and perform everyday tasks that you and I take for 
granted. Often times, this help is the only help needed to send someone 
to work and to truly integrate that person into society. Just because 
someone's body might fail them does not mean that their mind does as 
well, and it is smart government to help facilitate that transition 
from welfare recipient to taxpayer from both a human and economic 
standpoint.
  While I realize that the Republican Medicaid reform proposals that 
received wide bipartisan support from Members of Congress and the 
unanimous support of the National Governors Association would have 
given states the flexibility to develop these programs, President 
Clinton chose to twice veto these proposals. Now, in the absence of 
meaningful Medicaid reform, I am introducing legislation that would 
give states the needed flexibility to put these important programs in 
place.
  Furthermore, I realize that this proposal is merely the starting 
point for a very important debate. While more input is needed on all 
aspects of this legislation, including whatever costs may be associated 
with it, I wholly support the concept of giving states the necessary 
tools to administer the most effective and efficient programs that best 
meet the needs of a diverse constituency.
  I applaud Speaker Gingrich for announcing this Task Force and for 
bringing the importance of home- and community-based care to light 
during this 104th Congress.
  Please add the following cosponsors on the bill: Mr. Gunderson 
introduced the following bill, along with Mr. Gingrich of Georgia.

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