Disability Bills at State and National Levels
Access Living friends and allies,
It’s a super busy advocacy week! Below, we have a few ways you can help us advocate at the Illinois and the national level. Read on!
Support the ABLE Age Adjustment Act
Currently, only individuals who have a qualifying disability prior to age 26 are eligible to open an account in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan, a savings and investment account for people with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses. If passed, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act would raise the age of eligibility to those have a qualifying disability before age 46. We need your help! Please contact your representatives in Congress using this quick link to ask that they support the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 331 and H.R. 1219).
Protect the Illinois 340B Prescription Drug Program (HB 4595)
This bill will be heard today at 4:30 pm central. HB 4595 aims to protect the 340B program, which enables access to medication at affordable prices as well as comprehensive care for under-served patients. You can file a witness slip in support at this link, before 4:30 pm.
Support Medicaid for Undocumented Immigrants in Illinois (HB 4437)
HB 4437 will be heard tomorrow, March 24, at 8 am. Currently Illinois Medicaid covers undocumented seniors ages 65 and up, and this spring Illinois will begin covering those age 55 and up. The last uncovered group is ages 19-54. HB 4437 aims to ensure coverage for this group-including many who have disabilities but no health coverage. Please file a witness slip in support at this link.
How to File a Witness Slip
- Complete Sections 1 and 2 with your information and organizational affiliation (if you are not officially representing an organization, you can write “Self”)
- In section 3, select “original bill” and “proponent”
- In section 4, select “record of appearance only”
- Hit submit