Call to Action: February 22, 2018

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PROTECT THE ADA, MEDICAID AND MEDICARE

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#HandsOff
#Medicaid
#DisabilityRights

Trump and the GOP are endangering the health and rights of people with disabilities.

The budget proposal released Monday includes cuts of $1.4 trillion to Medicaid and $5 billion to Medicare. These cuts will significantly harm 53 million people in the U.S. who have disabilities, including one in three people over the age of 65.

H.R. 620 passed the House and is headed to the Senate. This amendment to the ADA places the burden of compliance onto people facing discriminatory barriers. It eliminates any incentive for businesses and institutions to comply with ADA rules proactively.

Those who have been denied their rights of access to public spaces are barred from immediately filing an ADA compliance lawsuit. First they must provide the business with a detailed legal notice explaining the specific violation. The violator then has six months to respond. This makes litigation difficult, suppressing enforcement.

The ADA is not an undue hardship on businesses, as claimed. The rules have been in place since 1990 and are well known. It already contains exemptions when change is not “readily achievable” and rules barring attorneys from filing frivolous lawsuits.

Protect Disability Rights!

Stop the War on America’s Elders!

Where’s #Complicit Greg Walden!?!

Once again it’s time to CALL BS!

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**ACTION 1: Call #Complicit Greg Walden and our Senators**

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Trumpist Greg Walden: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. I am outraged that Greg Walden continues to support Trump’s agenda attacking the civil rights and health of our disabled and elderly Americans! I CALL BS! The so-called ADA Education and Reform act would severely weaken the ADA and roll back disability rights. Trump’s newly proposed budget includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. The Congressman’s support for the heartless H.R. 620 betrays the most vulnerable people living in his district. I demand that he consider the lives and liberties of his constituents first, that he no longer support legislation that infringes on our civil rights, and that he oppose any budget that includes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. In other word, tell him to Stop Selling Us Out! Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senators Merkley and Wyden: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because the civil rights and health of our disabled and elderly neighbors and loved ones are under attack. The so-called ADA Education and Reform act would severely weaken the ADA and roll back disability rights. Trump’s newly proposed budget includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. I am asking the Senator to use every means at his disposal to ensure defeat of any form of H.R. 620 introduced in the Senate. I am also asking him to vote against any budget that includes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. I am asking him to CALL BS! Thank you.”

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**ACTION 2: Send this to your Friends and Family:

Share this post with friends and family. Help them leave messages for their congressional delegations about protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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TRUMPIST GREG WALDEN 
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me

SENATOR MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

SENATOR WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/