American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

JOHN J. SWEENEY
PRESIDENT

Richard L. Trumka
Secretary-Treasurer

Linda Chavez-Thompson
Executive Vice President

Vincent R. Sombrotto
Frank Hanley
Douglas H. Dority
Patricia Friend
CArroll Haynes
Arturo S. Rodriguez
Martin J. Maddaloni
Boyd D. Young
John W. Wilhelm
James P. Hoffa
Edwin D. Hill
Clyde Rivers
Leo W. Gerard

Gerald W. McEntee
Michael Sacco
Stephen P. Yokich
Michael Goodwin
James La Sala
Robert A. Scardelletti

John M. Bowers
Dennis Rivera
Elizabeth Bunn
Capt. Duane Woerth
Joseph J. Hunt
Cecil Roberts
Melissa Gilbert

Morton Bahr
Frank Hurt
Clayola Brown
Joe L. Greene
William Lucy
Andrew L. Stern
Sandra Feldman
Bobby L. Harnage Sr.
Michael E. Monroe
Terence O'Sullivan
Cheryl Johnson
Edward C. Sullivan
Edward J. McElroy Jr.

Gene Upshaw
Gloria T. Johnson
M.A. "Mac" Fleming
Sonny Hall
Leon Lynch
Edward L. Fire
R. Thomas Buffenbarger
Stuart Appelbaum
Michael J. Sullivan
Harold Schaitberger
Burce Raynor
William Burrus

815 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 637-5000
http://www.afIcio.org

Ms. Stephanie Thomas
National Organizer
ADAPT of Texas
1339 Lamar Square Drive
Suite 101
Austin, TX 78704

Dear Ms. Thomas:

May 14, 2002

The AFL-CIO supports the effort to move care for people with disabilities into the communities where they live and work, allowing them to retain their independence, while getting care and services in the most appropriate setting. We believe that can be done in a way.that ensures a living wage and other important employment protections for the workers who assist the disabled.

As you may know, we have a long history of supporting people with disabilities, including passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and currently, election reform. On these issues and others, we work closely with Disability Rights, Education and Defense Fund and American Association of People with Disabilities. On other issues, including employment, we have worked closely with the former President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

We have many interests of mutual concern with the disability community, including the Medicaid program. The AFL-CIO and our affiliate unions are currently working to increase federal funds for the Medicaid program and fight state efforts to use Medicaid waivers to reduce benefits and restrict eligibility for Medicaid. These issues affect all Medicaid beneficiaries, including people with disabilities.

As a democratic organization, the AFL-CIO develops policy in consultation with our affiliate unions. Until we have had an opportunity to review S. 1298 and H.R. 3612 with our affiliates, we cannot take a position on the legislation. Please be assured that we will work with the bill sponsors, Senator Harkin and Representative Davis, and the disability community to pass a bill that recognizes the needs and dignity of both people with disabilities and the workers who care for them. As part of that process, we will schedule a meeting with President John Sweeney in the next 60 days.

Sincerely,
[signed] William Samuel
[typed] William Samuel, Director
Department of Legislation

Created on

Thursday 18 July 2013

Posted on

Sunday 22 November 2020

Albums

• Washington DC, Spring 2002

Visits

246

Rating score

no rate

Rate this photo