Dear Friends,
A thousand thanks – literally – to the over 1,000 of you who’ve emailed Assembly Speaker John Perez asking him to allow a vote on the bill to require insurers to cover autism behavioral therapy.
We have three more days to convince Speaker Perez to act. The Legislature adjourns for the year at the end of the day this Friday.
If you haven’t emailed Mr. Perez yet, please do it now. It only takes one minute of your time. Here is a link to the ARC page where you can fill in the information to send the email: http://capwiz.com/thearc/ca/issues/alert/?alertid=53192636&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
Whether or not you’re already emailed him, also please forward this Action Alert to anyone you know who might be willing to take the 45 seconds to help.
The bill will help the entire developmental disability community, not just people with autism spectrum disorder and their families. It will save the state conservatively hundreds of millions of dollars that the state now pays for this therapy, and it will relieve some of the pressure to make still more cuts in community services next year.
Senator Darrell Steinberg, the bill’s author, is continuing to try to convince Mr. Perez to release the bill. So are the autism groups, the bill’s sponsors, and The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy, who are supporting them. And we need more help from the entire community.
Thank you for your advocacy,
Greg deGiere
Public Policy Director
The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California
1225 Eighth Street, Suite 350
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-552-6619 x 16 (office)
916-223-7319 (mobile)
| Time to get back on the phones and say “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!” |
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Congress is returning from its August recess this week and between now and Thanksgiving, Members will make momentous decisions about next year’s federal budget and deficit reduction due to the recent debt ceiling deal.
We are urging you to welcome Congress back to Washington with a reminder that we want them to support a fair and responsible budget and plan that protects programs vital to people with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. They must not balance the federal budget on the backs of people with I/DD – “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!” It only will take you a few minutes to call your Senators and Representative and deliver this crucial message. Now is the time to speak to your representatives in Congress. All Members of Congress need to continue hearing from their constituents on this critical issue. Click to find the district office phone number for your Members of the House and Senators.
What should I say? Thank you for letting Congress know that a range of federal programs are truly a “lifeline” to you and your family. -from the ARC
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Calling all California Food Activists – Stand up for NO GMOs
Do you live in California and care about your food safety? Do you want labeling for GMOs? Do something about it!
The Organic Consumers Association says:
Hello California Food Activists,
October is right around the corner. That’s the month for us to start gathering signatures to get the California Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act on the ballot in November 2012.
Folks, we need your help! This is a unique opportunity, something totally new for California. What we do here will change the face of GMO policy in the whole country. If you care about your right to know what’s in your food, then NOW is the time to ACT. We are at a crossroads with both GMOs and this campaign. If we want to see labels on GMOs, we need to amp it up in September with meetings and in October gathering signatures. The future of our food and the future of biodiversity depend on it!
While we are growing every week, we still need contacts and organizational “Seed Meetings” in some key areas of the North and Central State. If you live in any of these areas please help us organize a meeting so we can find others who want to gather signatures.
Arcata/Eureka
Monterey/Carmel/Salinas
Oakland to Fremont
Richmond
Stockton
Walnut Creek to Pleasanton
The week of September 26 is wide open, let’s fill it up with meetings!
Contact Pamm at plarry@labelgmos.org
Scheduled Northern California Events
***Please see below for a very special offer to attend the Biosafety Alliance Conference in San Francisco, September 16-17 and help the Label GMOs campaign, too!***
Sacramento-Activist Meeting
Wednesday, Sept 7th
7 pm
The Coffee Garden, 2904 Franklin Blvd in Sacramento
Look for the table reserved in the back patio area.
Yuba City-Activist Seed Meeting with Pamm Larry
Wednesday, September 7th
5pm-6:30 pm
Sunflower Natural Food Store
Teegarden at Sutter Street
Quincy-Tabling event at farmer’s market then Activist Seed Meeting with Pamm Larry
Thursday, September 8th
Farmer’s Market earlier, then meeting at 7:30
Quincy Natural Foods Learning Center, 248 Main Street
Adjacent to the Farmer’s Market and right across the street from Quincy Natural Foods.
Local Contact Linda: 530-283-3989.
San Rafael-Screening of Robyn O’ Brien TED talk followed by GMO allergen discussion
Friday, September 9th
7 pm
First United Methodist Church of San Rafael, 9 Ross Valley Drive
Film @ 7:00, 8:00-Discussion and presentation of the GMO
Labeling Project Wheelchair accessible, plenty of parking. For more info 454-9898
Robyn shares her personal story and how it inspired her current path as a “Real Food” evangelist. Grounded in a successful Wall Street career that was more interested in food as good business than good-for-you, this mother of 4 was shaken awake by the dangerous allergic reaction of one of her children to a “typical” breakfast. Her mission to unearth the cause revealed more about the food industry than she could stomach, and impelled her to share her findings with others.
Fresno-Activist Seed Meeting with Pamm Larry
Friday, September 9th
6PM
110 El Camino Fresco, Fresno 93720
The best way to describe it is that it’s the sitting area behind Borders in River Park. Come learn about the initiative and get your community hooked up with the state that’s organizing to gather signatures this fall. It’s time to label genetically engineered foods…let’s get this job done!
Local Contact: Royce 559- 708-5291
roycesanders2006@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=277629472262968#!/event.php?eid=277629472262968
Modesto-Activist Seed Meeting with Pamm Larry
Saturday, September 10th
Time and location TBA as soon as available. Keep your calendar open!
Santa Cruz-Activist Meeting- GMO-Free Santa Cruz
Sunday, September 11th
4-5pm
Westside New Leaf Community Classroom , 1101 Fair Ave.
Please come and participate in anti-GMO activism!!! We need volunteers willing to do Tabling events to help spread GMO awareness and find other anti-gmo community members who would like to help. Come find out more information on tabling (we even have tabling manuals!) as well as help plan the other BIG events coming to SC: the Rally Oct 16, and Jeffrey Smith in Oct. We’ll update on what’s new with the Label GMOs Initiative Movement, and also treat you with some organic homemade cookies made by one of the best bakers ever, Vickie B.! 
Tarah Locke gmofreesc@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195263577208295
Chico-Screening The World According to Monsanto
Monday, September 12th
7:30-10:00pm
GRUB Cooperative, under walnut tree, 1525 Dayton Rd, Chico.
Lotus-Activist Seed Meeting
Tuesday, September 13th
6:30-7:30pm
Gringo’s Mexican Cafe: 7310 Hwy 49 #4, Lotus CA 95651
Tawni Taylor: labelitnow@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Label-GMOs-El-Dorado-County-Group/208432749213443
Santa Rosa-Tabling Event at the Heirloom Seed Exposition
September 13th-15th
11AM-5PM
The Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Road
Dr. Vandana Shiva-Keynote Speaker Thurs. Sept, 15th 7:00PM
Jeffrey Smith-Keynote Speaker Tue. Sept, 13th 7:00PM
Alice Waters-Keynote Speaker Wed. Sept, 14th 7:00PM
Pamm Larry will be speaking at 1PM on Thursday, September 15
http://theheirloomexpo.com/
****WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR OUR BOOTH??? Also if there are any IRT folks out there who want to cover Jeffrey’s booth, please contact Pamm for either opportunity at plarry@labelgmos.org ****
South Lake Tahoe- Activist Seed Meeting
Wednesday, September 14th
6pm
Sprouts Natural Food Cafe: 3123 Harrison Ave., South Lake Tahoe CA 96150
Tawni Taylor: labelitnow@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Label-GMOs-El-Dorado-County-Group/208432749213443
San Francisco -Tabling at Justice Begins With Seeds
Conference Summit: September 16th-17th
The Women’s Building and other locations in the Mission District, San Francisco
The purpose of the upcoming conference is to address the many layered implications of genetically engineered food, build strategic coalitions and deeper collaborations amongst diverse stakeholders for more widespread action in varying levels throughout the state of California to shift away from the industrial food regime.
GMO Awareness Week September 12-17- please see website below for all the events during the week
For more information and to register, visit: http://biosafetyalliance.org/
***NOTE!!! The Biosafety Alliance has offered to help us raise money for the Label GMOs campaign. If you make a $25-50 donation to this campaign, you will get into the conference for free!!! Simply go to our website (www.labelgmos.org/donate) make your donation, then write plarry@labelgmos.org so Pamm can track your donation. The conference sponsors will send you your confirmation to the event.***
Don’t see your city listed? Contact Pamm at plarry@labelgmos.org to coordinate a meeting near you.
Stand Up for Medicaid and SSI at a Town Hall Meeting!
| Stand Up for Medicaid at a Town Hall Meeting! | |
| Congress’ August recess is in full swing, and Members of the House and Senate are setting up town hall meetings throughout their districts to hear from their constituents. This is your chance to tell your Members of Congress in person “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!”Now is the time to speak to your representatives in Congress because part of the recently signed deficit reduction law requires further Congressional action this fall. All Members of Congress need to continue hearing from their constituents on this critical issue. Click on the Take Action link above to find the district office phone number for your Members of the House and Senators to ask when their next town hall meeting will be, and attend their upcoming meetings to tell them “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!”
What’s in the debt deal? On August 2nd, President Obama signed a bill into law to put into place a three step process to raise the debt ceiling and place spending caps on discretionary programs, reducing spending by $840 billion over ten years in the first step. These cuts must be balanced between defense and non-defense spending, which could include important disability-related programs like housing, education, employment, and transportation. Entitlement programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are protected from cuts in this first step. Over the next two months, committees in Congress will finalize what programs bear the brunt of the cuts. What’s next? This fall, Congress is charged with finding an additional $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction by 2021. This will be initiated by a twelve-member bipartisan Congressional “super committee” (Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction) that proposes specific spending cuts by November 23rd. The Committee’s plan must get the support of at least 7 of its members to be voted on by the full Congress. Congress will then hold an up-or-down vote, with no amendments allowed, on the spending cuts legislation by December 23rd. Cuts to important disability-related discretionary and entitlement programs, like Medicaid, could be proposed by the Committee and enacted by Congress. If this committee fails to obtain agreement from at least 7 of its Members to cut $1.5 trillion or if Congress fails to enact it, then automatic, across-the-board spending cuts will be triggered for 2013-2021. However, any automatic, across-the-board cuts would exempt the low income entitlement programs, such as the Medicaid and SSI programs. Small Medicare cuts are allowed but will fall on the providers. The bottom line is Medicaid and other programs that serve people with I/DD are still extremely vulnerable to cuts. What Can I Do? Now is the time for you to contact your Members of Congress and ask when and where they are holding town hall meetings you can attend. We need advocates like you to let Members know that Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans. These in-person interactions leave a lasting impression, especially when it makes elected officials stop seeing Medicaid as an entitlement program and start picturing the people whose lives it changes. If you don’t know who your Representative or Senator is click here and enter your zip code. Then call and ask when their next town meeting is, and attend – your voice can make a difference, so get out there and engage your elected officials! Suggested Questions to Ask at a Town Hall Meeting -From the ARC Your opinions matter – let them be heard!
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From The Arc
Last week, there was a very powerful, nationwide response to our calls for action to protect Medicaid from significant cuts. While there has not yet been a resolution to the immediate crisis (deciding what federal programs will be cut to resolve the federal debt ceiling crisis), a plan must be devised and will happen in the next several days. Thus, it’s absolutely critical that we do everything possible this week to tell Congress not to balance the budget on the backs of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) by making cuts to Medicaid, a program that truly is a lifeline for so many.
If you have not contacted your two US Senators and House Member, please do so promptly. Phone calls are the most effective means to do this, and it only takes a couple of minutes per call.
Once you have made you own calls, we urge you to spread the word to your network of friends, relatives and other connections:
- Email contacts: Who do you know who might make calls to their federal legislators to protect Medicaid if you asked them? Think about all of your networks, including other friends, family members, leaders of organizations to which you belong, people where you worship, and so on. Send your contacts an email, briefly telling them why protecting Medicaid from devastating cuts is important to your family. Include a link to The Arc’s page that provides background and instructions on calling Congress – http://capwiz.com/thearc/callalert/index.tt?alertid=50781796.
- Facebook: If you have a Facebook page, please post a status update asking your friends to act to protect Medicaid and link to The Arc’s take action page.
- Twitter: Do you Tweet? A short post to your Twitter account can reach all your followers. (Suggested Tweet: Medicaid: a lifeline for people with disabilities. Tell Congress, No to cuts! http://bit.ly/qJ2646)
- Blogs: If you blog, The Arc has a model posting that you may use for inspiration (and add your own voice, if you’d like) and post to spread the word to your blog audience.
- Spread the word even further: Finally, ask your friends who use Facebook, Twitter and who blog to share this message with their friends, followers and blog audiences, too. This can spread the word even more far and wide!
Thanks for your effort and persistence!
Sincerely,
Dee Dee Eberle and Ralph Scott
Chapter Organizing and Advocacy
The Arc of the United States
~From The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California~
Dear Friends,
We have the times and places of next battles in the struggle to save Lanterman Act services for people with intellectual and all developmental disabilities.
They are the public forums on the Brown administration’s recommendations to the Legislature for saving $174 million in the state General Fund by adopting “best practices” for delivery of regional center services.
Please plan now to come to at least one of the three forums, and to ask your local state senator and assembly representative to attend or send staff.
We don’t know yet what the administration’s recommendations will be, but we know they will impact the entire developmental disability community – including kids who don’t get any regional center services now but will need them when they get older. We should know a lot more before the forums, and I’ll get them to you as soon as I have it.
Earlier this year, we filled the Capitol for the Senate and Assembly hearings on the developmental services budget. That turnout was the largest for any Capitol hearings in years, and it made a big difference. It’s one of the reasons why the Legislature dramatically reduced the cuts the administration originally asked for. Now we need to repeat or exceed that showing.
The forums will be:
· 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 5, Ronald Reagan Building Auditorium, 300 South Spring Street, Los Angeles.
· 12 noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 6, East End Complex Auditorium, 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento.
· 1 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 9, Federal Building Auditorium, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland.
It’s important that every legislator — state senator and assembly representative — get calls from the people like you that they represent urging them to attend of send staff to the forums. The legislators are the people who will make the final decisions that will impact our community so much. They need to know that their constituents – that’s you – appreciate the reductions they made to the administration’s proposed cuts this winter, but that they are still accountable for what the Legislature does with the administration’s new recommendations.
If you don’t know who your state senator and assembly representative are, it’s time to find out.
Go to http://capwiz.com/thearc/state/main/?state=CA&view=myofficials (it says The Arc, but The Arc and UCP are working together now), enter your ZIP code, and click on “Go.” The names of your state senator and state assembly representative will appear. If you need your senator’s or assembly representative’s number, click on their name.
Each legislator has an office in the Capitol and at least one locally. If you’ve talked to someone in either office before, call that same person now. Otherwise, call the legislators’ local offices.
Here’s what you might say:
1. Ask to talk to a staff person who works on disability issues. Get his or her name (and save it for future calls).
2. Tell them your name and address, so they know you live in the district the senator or assemblymember represents.
3. Tell them why you care. For example, you or your child may have a disability and depend on Lanterman Act services.
4. Tell them you’re a registered voter – if you are. (If you’re not, don’t lie – they can check. But get registered before you call next time.)
5. Tell them when and where the forum that you will be attending will be. Ask that the senator or assemblymember attend or send staff.
Or if you have a better way to say it, please do. You know your relationship with your local representatives better than I do. Or you will soon.
Calls are more effective than emails. But if your disability prevents you from calling, or it you already have talked to someone who works for your local state senator or assemblymember and you have their personal email address, you can email them.
Finally, here’s some important information from the Department of Developmental Disabilities on the forums:
“The facilities are accessible for persons with disabilities. For those of you who cannot attend in person, an operated-assisted conference call line will be available during the meetings. We will provide those conference call numbers on our website prior to the meetings.
“In consideration of attendees who are sensitive to environmental odors created by chemicals and perfumes, please restrict the use of fragrances at this meeting. If disability-related accommodations are required for your attendance, or you need materials in alternate formats, please contact Kathleen Ozeroff at (916) 654-1888 or kathleen.ozeroff@dds.ca.gov.”
Thank you for your advocacy.
Greg
P.S. Please forward this Action Alert far and wide. We need a huge turnout at these things.
Greg deGiere
Public Policy Director
The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California
1225 Eighth Street, Suite 350
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-552-6619, ext. 16
916-223-7319 (mobile)
916-441-3494 (fax)
www.TheArcCA.org
Urgent: Please Write Your Letters of Support for SB 166 and AB 171 Today! Just 5-10 minutes of your time will make a world of difference for so many.
Senate Bill SB 166, introduced by Senator Darrell Steinberg, and Assembly bill, AB 171 introduced by Assemblymember, Jim Beall must have grassroots support to make it past the heavily fortified health insurance companies. These critical bills require insurance companies to provide behavioral intervention therapies for autism spectrum disorders. AB 171 also requires that assessment, diagnosis, speech, occupational, and physical therapies to be covered as well. There are no age limits for the coverage which would apply to babies and individuals into adulthood.
Insurance companies are fighting hard to stop SB 166 and AB 171 from passing. We must fight harder to make sure that individuals receive the treatment that they need.
Please write a brief letter of support for SB 166 and AB 171. Ask family and friends to send in support letters. Email or FAX it by Thursday, April 21 by midnight to:
Assemblymember Jim Beall, SUPPORT FOR AB 171
Senator Darrell Steinberg, SUPPORT FOR SB 166
A letterhead for each legislator has been included so just fill in your information and fax it in. If email is easier for you, please click through for each legislators email form.
Assemblymember Jim Beall, SUPPORT FOR AB 171
http://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD24&
Senator Darrell Steinberg, SUPPORT FOR SB 166
http://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=SD06
Postal Addresses:
Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr.
24th Assembly District
Chair, Committee on Human Services
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0024
Tel: (916) 319-2024
Fax: (916) 319-2124
Re: SUPPORT AB 171 (Beall) As Amended, April 19, 2011
Darrell Steinberg
Senate President pro Tem
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916 651-4006
Fax: (916) 323-2263
Re: SUPPORT SB 166 (Steinberg)
If you have questions and to send us copies of your correspondence please contact us at askfeat@feat.org
Or contact Senator Steinberg’s policy consultant, louis.vismara@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4189
Mark your calendars. AB 171 (Beall) will be heard on Tuesday, April 26 before Assembly Health Committee starting at 1:30 in room 4202 in the State Capitol, and
SB 166 (Steinberg) will be heard the very next day, on Wednesday, April 27 before the Senate Health Committee, starting at 1:30 in room 4203 in the State Capitol. Please come to testify or to be in the hearing room to show support for autism assessment and treatment.
The full text of SB 161 and AB 171, the AB 171 Fact Sheet, and the ACAO’s Position Paper with facts on medical necessity for autism treatment can be found on FEAT’s website at: http://www.feat.org/ )
