Valued Friends and Supporters:
We urgently need your help today with a simple copy and paste comment to the Senate Finance Committee.
On June 12th the Senate Finance Committee issued a report (view here) on the horrific abuse and neglect our loved ones with disabilities face in residential treatment facilities. As they look for solutions some of the Senators are saying "many can be provided care in their own home." This is our opportunity to show them the real solution: Change the regulations to allow Legally Responsible Individuals (i.e. parents & spouses) to be paid caregivers. Comments must be in by June 26th to be considered - can you send them your comment today with this copy and paste template?
It's easy, just copy the text at this link and follow the instructions or copy the text below and paste it into a google doc:
INSTRUCTIONS: For this hearing: https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/youth-residential-treatment-facilities-examining-failures-and-evaluating-solutions “Any individual or organization wanting to present their views for inclusion in the hearing record should submit in a Word document, a single-spaced statement, not exceeding 10 pages in length. No other file type will be accepted for inclusion. Title and date of the hearing, and the full name and address of the individual or organization must appear on the first page of the statement. Statements must be received no later than two weeks following the conclusion of the hearing.”
- Make your own copy of this document.
- Delete and replace all highlighted text.
- Then go to File->Download -> Microsoft Word.
- Then email to Statementsfortherecord@finance.senate.gov by June 26.
Copy & Paste Text:
[YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS]
June 23, 2024
Senate Committee on Finance
Attn. Editorial and Document Section
Rm. SD-219
Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-6200
Statementsfortherecord@finance.senate.gov
Re: June 12, 2024 Committee Hearing: Youth Residential Treatment Facilities: Examining Failures and Evaluating Solutions
Dear Senate Finance Committee Members,
I am writing to you from [YOUR STATE]. Thank you for prioritizing the critical issue of Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs).
[WRITE YOUR EXPERIENCE OR YOUR REASONS FOR WHY PAID FAMILY CAREGIVING IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND/OR YOUR DISABLED LOVED ONE]
I am writing to ask you to recognize the barriers to paid family caregiving and their role in abuse and neglect in our nation’s care network. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) current regulations (Section 1905(a)(24) of the Social Security Act, 42 CFR § 440.167, and 42 CFR § 441.105) prevent family caregivers from being paid to provide care at home. This forces many families to place their loved ones in RTFs due to the lack of affordable care options.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 39 states allowed parents and spouses to be paid caregivers through CMS waivers. This led to better care, fewer hospitalizations, healthier homes, reduced dependency on welfare, and increased tax revenue. The National Council on Disability supports making this change permanent.
CMS officials, including Dan Tsai, have acknowledged the benefits of paid family caregivers. However, current federal regulations remain a barrier. Congress must "ban the bans" on paid family caregivers and incentivize states to adopt this model.
This change is crucial to prevent the abuse and neglect often seen in RTFs and to support families in providing safe, effective care at home.
Appreciatively,
[YOUR NAME]
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Thank you everyone for your support and help! We continue to work steadily with our federal government for this change.
Appreciatively,
Nathan Hill