[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES WANT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the millions of 
Americans who live with disabilities and who want to stay in their 
homes. That seems like a pretty simple idea and something that, 
unfortunately, millions and millions of people are denied.
  In 1999, the Supreme Court issued the Olmstead decision, finding that 
individuals with disabilities have a right under the Americans with 
Disabilities Act to receive State-funded supports and services while 
living independently in their community.
  This landmark decision promised to ensure people would have access to 
home and community-based care as an alternative to 
institutionalization.
  However, 25 years later, people are still being forced into 
institutions, including nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals.
  One person who wanted to live in their home with the benefit of these 
services, which were court affirmed, was Latonya Reeves.
  She lived in my hometown of Memphis but couldn't get the services in 
her home that she needed, so she moved to Colorado in 1991 where she 
could live without being institutionalized.
  While there, she contributed to the community by working as a 
transition counselor and community activist.
  This session, I introduced the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act, which 
would codify the Olmstead decision and strengthen the rights of 
Americans with disabilities to receive long-term services and supports 
in the settings of their choice.
  This bill has been around in several forms for several years. In the 
last two terms, it has gained the support of a majority of the House of 
Representatives, and in this Congress it has had as many as 222 
cosponsors. I filed a discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor 
just a few minutes ago.
  In the remaining days of the 118th Congress, I hope my colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle will sign the discharge petition to support the 
millions of Americans with disabilities.
  Let's keep the American Dream alive for people with disabilities to 
stay in their homes.

                          ____________________