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Federal Candidates
Office
CG |
District
1 |
County |
Party
D |
Name
ALLEN, THOMAS H. |
| Q1 Housing. The connection between poverty and disability is
well documented, and affordable housing is crucial for many people with
disabilities, particularly those who are leaving institutional
settings. Although poverty and disability rates have risen
substantially in recent years, affordable housing funding has fallen
behind need. Would you vote for sufficient affordable housing funding
to meet current needs? |
Y |
| Q2 Employment. Funding for programs that promote employment
opportunity for people with disabilities, such as the Ticket to Work
and Work Incentive program, has remained fairly flat in recent years,
even though the rate of disability in the population is increasing. Do
you support funding increases for employment initiatives for people
with disabilities? |
Y |
| Q3 Transportation. Access to public transportation is
essential for many people with disabilities to live and work
independently. Would you support additional funding to improve
provision and accessibility of public transportation, particularly in
rural areas? |
Y |
| Q4 Education. The U.S. government spends over $12 billion per
year on special education, yet local school systems often use federal
special education money for purposes for which it was not intended.
Would you support increased oversight and accountability, to ensure
that children with disabilities receive the full benefit of federal
funds? |
Y |
| Q5 Judiciary. Many federal judicial nominees in recent years
have been hostile to laws that protect the rights of people with
disabilities, and have engaged in judicial activism to reduce the
effectiveness of those laws. Will you oppose nominees, by filibuster if
necessary, whose records suggest that they will engage in similar
activism against disability rights laws? |
|
| Q6 ADA. In the 16 years since passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, a landmark civil rights law, many loopholes have
emerged, some of which were created by federal court decisions that
have interpreted the law too narrowly. Would you support legislation to
close the gaps in the ADA, to fulfill the promise of equal rights for
all citizens? |
Y |
| Q7 Enforcement. Currently, when noncompliance with federal
accessibility laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Help America Vote Act hurts people with
disabilities, the victims frequently bear the burden of enforcing the
law. Would you support increased funding and oversight for federal
agencies to bring enforcement actions, and for legal services
organizations to provide client assistance, to ensure an equal playing
field in the workplace and beyond? |
Y |
| Q8 Advocacy. Funding for organizations that protect and
advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, across all areas
of disability, has failed to keep up with the growing rates of
disability in the population. Would you support increased funding for
such organizations? |
Y |
| Q9 Social Security. The President has proposed to begin
phasing out the Social Security program and replacing it with a system
of private investment accounts. Would you oppose this proposal, and any
other proposal that replaces some or all of the guaranteed benefit
under Social Security? |
Y |
| Q10 Medicaid funding. Tens of millions of Americans rely on
Medicaid for health insurance. Rates of poverty and disability are
rising, as are health care costs, yet Medicaid funding has not kept up.
Would you support increased Medicaid funding to better reflect these
realities? |
Y |
| Q11 Medications. With respect to the federal prescription
drug benefit, provided under Medicare Part D, would you support
legislation to: presents numerous problems for many people with
disabilities, particularly those most in need. Some problems include
the complexity of the program, the lack of consumer protections, and
the substantial costs people incur when they reach an arbitrary
“donut hole” in coverage. Moreover, the entire program is
unnecessarily expensive, because it denies the federal government the
power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. Would you
support legislation to address these problems? (A) Significantly
diminish the complexity of the program; (B) Significantly enhance
consumer protections; (C) Eliminate the arbitrary “donut
hole” in coverage; (D) Give the federal government the power to
negotiate for lower prescription drug prices; (E) Remove the clawback
payment that States must pay before their citizens can participate. |
YYYY |
| Q12 Access to Medicaid. Medicaid laws were recently changed
to make it more difficult and expensive for Medicaid applicants and
beneficiaries to provide the required proof of citizenship to receive
benefits. This will create a particular hardship for many people with
disabilities. Would you vote to repeal these changes to the law? |
Y |
| Q13 Medicaid flexibility. Federal legislation has
significantly limited States’ ability to provide services that
allow individuals with mental illness and other disabilities to live in
the community. Would you support returning that power to the States, to
help them meet community integration obligations under the Supreme
Court’s Olmstead decision? |
Y |
| Q14 Medicaid guidance. The Deficit Reduction Act has created
much confusion for State Medicaid policymakers, who cannot determine
whether their Medicaid plans comply with the law. Would you support
legislative pressure on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
to provide clarity, or in the alternative, clarifying legislation? |
Y |
| Q15 Universal health coverage. Over 40 million Americans lack
health insurance, and that number has been growing in recent years.
Would you support legislation to ensure that all Americans have health
care coverage comparable to that available under the Medicare and
Medicaid programs? |
Y |
| Q16 Consumer protection. Consumer protections in
Maine’s health insurance laws protect all Maine consumers. Would
you reject federal legislation that would allow out-of-state insurance
companies to sell insurance in Maine without these protections? |
Y |
| Q17 Have you ever employed or worked closely with an individual with a disability? |
Y |
| Comments |
COMMENTARY--IN CONGRESS, I HAVE BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER FOR
THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. I HAVE
ALSO USED MY OFFICE TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF. AS A MEMBER OF 2
COMMITTEES, THE HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE ENERGY AND
COMMERCE COMMITTEE'S HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE, WITH JURISDICTION OVER
MATTERS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO DISABLED AMERICANS, I HAVE BEEN IN
THE FOREFRONT OF EFFORTS TO BLOCK CUTS TO HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION,
HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER PROGRAMS IMPORTANT TO INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES. I HAVE ALSO WORKED TO STOP OR REVERSE MANY OF THE
CURRENT ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY INITIATIVES (PER QUESTION 9,12,13, AND
14)...PER QUESTIONS 1-3, I AM A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING ,
EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION PROGTAMS THAT ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES CAN PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE COMMUNITY AS WORKERS AND
CITIZENS. I ALSO SUPPORT H.R. 910, THE MEDICAID COMMUNITY-BASED
ATTENDENT SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ACT OF 2005 (MiCASSA). THE BILL,
INTRODUCED BY REP. DANNY DAVIS IN FEBRUARY 2005, WOULD PROVIDE
COMMUNITY ATTENDENT SERVICES TO MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES--RANGING FROM
ASSISTING WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (EATING, TOLIETING, GROOMING,
DRESSING, BATHING, TRANSFERRING) INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITES OF DAILY LIVING
(MEAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION, MANAGING FINANCES, SHOPPING, HOUSEHOLD
CHORES, PHONING, PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMUNITY), AND HEALTH-RELATED
FUNCTIONS. THE BILL CURRENTLY HAS 67 COSPONSORS. I ALSO COSPONSOR H.R.
4704, THE BIPARTISAN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SHOCKING
RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA WHICH LEFT MANY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
BEHIND WITHOUT AID FOR DAYS AFTER THE STORM HAD PASSED, H.R. 4704 WOULD
DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO APPOINT A DISABILITY
COORDINATOR TO ENSURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MEETS NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES IN THE CASE OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY OR DISASTER. PER
QUESTION 4, I HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO FUND IDEA IMMEDIATELY AT
THE FULL 40 PERCENT FEDERAL SHARE, AND TO PAY FOR IT BY FREEZING THE
BUSH TAXCUTS FOR THOSE IN THE TOP INCOME BRACKET. AS A MEMBER OF THE
HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FOR FULL FUNDING OF
IDEA. PER QUESTION 5-, IF I HAD BEEN IN THE US SENATE, I WOULD HAVE
VOTED AGAINEST THE NOMINATIONS OF BOTH CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AND
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SAMUEL J. ALITO. I BELIEVE NEITHER OF THEM SHARES
MANY OF THE VALUES THAT MAINE PEOPLE EMBRACE AND THEIR EVALUATION TO
THE SUPREME COURT POSES POTENTIALLY DEVASTING THREATS TO THE BASIC
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES AMERICANS HOLD DEAR. PER QUESTION 7-, I SUPPORT
FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS TRAINING. I
VOTED FOR AND SUPPORT FULL FUNDING FOR THE BIPARTISAN HELP AMERICA VOTE
ACT, DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE PROBLEMS RAISED DURING THE 2000
AND 2004 ELECTIONS, INCLUDING DIFFICULTIES THAT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES HAD IN VOTING AND REGISTERING TO VOTE. PER QUESTION 11-, I
CO-AUTHORED H.R.752, THE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAVING AND CHOICE
ACT, THAT OFFERS BENEFICIARIES THE OPTION OF ADDING A SECURE AND
AFFORDABLE DRUG BENEFIT TO THEIR EXISTING MEDICARE COVERAGE. THE BILL
WOULD GIVE EVERY MEDICARE BENEFICIARY THE OPTION OF CHOOSING A UNIFORM,
MEDICARE-OPERATED PLAN THEY KNOW THEY CAN TRUST. UNLIKE THE EXISTING
LAW, H.R.752 WILL ALSO MAKE NEGOTIATED DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO ALL
SENIORS AND DISABLED PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE THROUGH THE
PREDICTABLE, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE MEDICARE PROGRAM. I INTRODUCED
H.R.1144, THE MEDICARE DUAL ELIGIBLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE ACT OF
2005, TO GUARANTEE THAT ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES, DUAL ELIGIBLES AND
NON-DUAL ELIGIBLES ALIKE, WOULD HAVE 6 MONTHS TO EXPLORE THEIR OPTIONS
AND GRADUALLY TRANSITION TO A MEDICARE DRUG PLAN. I ALSO INTRODUCED
H.R.4392, LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF PHARMACUETICAL
PRODUCTS UNDER A COMPULSORY LICENSE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE WORLD
TRADE ORGANIZATION. I ALSO COSPONSOR 3 OTHER BILLS TO MAKE IMPORTANT
CHANGES THE PART D: H.R. 3861, THE MEDICARE INFORMED CHOICE ACT, WOULD
EXTEND OPEN ENROLLMENT THRU DEC 31, 2006 WITH NO LATE ENROLLMENT
PENALTY AND PROVIDE BENEFICIARIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A ONE-TIME
CHANGE IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN ENROLLMENT AT ANY POINT IN 2006. H.R.
700, THE PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET ACCESS AND DRUG SAFETY ACT REVISES
PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE IMPORTANTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND WAIVES
THE LIMITATION ON IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT HAVE BEEN
EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES. H.R. 376, THE MEDICARE'S EQUITABLE
DRUGS FOR SENIORS ACT, REPEALS PROVISIONS IN THE MEDICARE LAW
PROHIBITING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR INTERFERRING
WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN DRUG MANUFACTURERS AND PHARMACIES AND
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN SPONSORS; AND REQUIRING A PARTICULAR FORMULARY
TO INSTITUTE A PRICE STRUCTURE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF COVERED
MEDICARE PART D DRUGS. I HAVE ALSO USED MY OFFICE TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF
OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. DURING MY VERY FIRST TERM, FOR
EXAMPLE, SOME CONSTITUENTS WITH DISABILITIES INFORMED ME THAT CERTAIN
FACILITIES, INCLUDING TRIALS, AT BAXTER STATE PARK AND THE ALLAGASH
WILDERNESS WATERWAY DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABLITY
ACT (ADA). IN SOME INSTANCES THE PARK AUTHORITY HAD BLOCKED ACCESS
ROADS AND REMOVED BRIDGES THAT HAD BEEN MADE AREAS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES. THE AUTHORITY ASSERTED THAT BECAUSE OF PROVISIONS OF
GOVERNOR BAXTERS INSTRUMENTS DEEDING THE PARK TO THE STATE, IT WAS NOT
REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE ADA. BECAUSE OF MY OFFICE'S INTERVENTION,
THE STATE FOUND THAT BOTH BAXTER STATE PARK AUTHORITY AND THE ALLAGASH
WILDERNESS WATERWAY ARE SUBJECT TO THE ADA AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, BOTH HAVE
MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING ACCESSIBILTY FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES. 1. YES, 2 YES, 3 YES, 4 YES, 5 N/A, 6 YES. 7. YES, 8 YES.
9 YES. 10 YES, 11 A-E, YES, 12 YES, 13 YES, 14 YES, 15 YES, 16 YES, 17
YES..DISABILITY TOUCHES ALMOST EVERY EXTENDED FAMILY AND EVERY
WORKPLACE IN AMERICA. I HAVE AN UNCLE AND COUSINS WITH MENTAL
DISABILITIES AND PARENTS WHO NEEDED LOTS OF ASSISTANCE AS THEY AGED. I
AM QUITE FAMILIAR WITH A BROAD RANGE OF DISABILITES AFFECTING CHILDREN
AND YOUNG ADULTS RAISED BY FRIENDS OF MINE. I HAVE EMPLOYED OR WORKED
WITH MANY INDIVIDUALS WHOSE DISABILITIES HAVE NOT INTERFERED WITH THEIR
WORK PERFORMANCE, LIMITED THEIR PRODUCTIVITY OR DIMINISHED THEIR VALUE
AS WORKERS AND COLLEAGUES. MY OFFICE MAINTAINS A STRICT POLICY
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON DISABILITY AND PROVIDES A BARRIER
FREE WORKPLACE AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES. |
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