UCP Urges Congress to Pass The Family Opportunity Act Now!

United Cerebral Palsy Associations
Friday, 8 December 2000

Washington, DC (Dec. 8, 2000) - UCP, the nation's largest non-profit disability organization, today urged Congress to pass the Family Opportunity Act (S. 2274/H.R. 4825) before adjourning for the year. This bill, which has 78 Senate and 143 House sponsors, would help families that have children with serious disabilities when the family has no (or limited) private insurance but is not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid under regular rules.

The bill has broad bipartisan support from Members of Congress including Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and Kennedy (D-MA) and Reps. Sessions (R-TX) and Waxman (D-CA), and is also strongly supported by the Clinton Administration. UCP urged Senate Majority Leader Lott (R-MS) and House Speaker Hastert (R-IL) to expedite immediate passage of the bill.

Until the bill passes, thousands of families will be bankrupted each year as a result of catastrophic medical expenses. The bill would permit States to allow these families to "buy in" to Medicaid by paying an affordable income-related premium. Though some moderate-income families can now buy into State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIPs), the SCHIPs often cover fewer services than Medicaid. More than 100 other organizations also have endorsed the bill.

UCP was founded in 1949 and has 139 affiliates nationwide. UCP provides programs and services to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families. UCP uses its funds efficiently, with 85 cents of every dollar spent directly on programs and services.

For more information, or to contact United Cerebral Palsy Associations, see their website at: www.ucpa.org