The sponsors are Representative Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Representative Lee Terry (R-NE). HR 868 is the 110^th Congress’s version of the bill. Last year’s version, HR 1279, was the 110^th Congress’s version of the bill.

The Act enjoys bipartisan support. Last year’s version had 240 sponsors - Democrats and Republicans. However, that included only 16 of New York State’s 29 member House Delegation. This year NYSARC,Inc. will initiate a campaign to get all 29 members to enlist as co-sponsors of the bill.

To get today’s updated list of co-sponsors go to:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d111:1:./temp/~bdh1IG:@@@P|/bss/111search.html

Important Things to know about the HR-1279 Campaign

THE ISSUE

The NEW YORK - HR1279 CO-SPONSOR CAMPAIGN

REQUEST TO CHAPTERS

YOUR CONGRESSPERSON: WHO TO TARGET?

CONTACTING YOUR CONGRESSPERSON

SAMPLE LETTER FOR PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

SAMPLE LETTER FOR DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF

CHALLENGES

OUR NEWEST SPONSORS AND THEIR CHAPTERS (CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME)

KEY BILL PROVISIONS

HR1279, "The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act," would amend the Medicaid program (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) to provide enhanced federal Medicaid funding to states that opted to participate in order to increase wages for direct support professionals serving people with disabilities. The exact amount of the increased federal match would be determined by a complex formula...MORE