For Immediate Release
03/18/2020
Contact: David Card
202.408.9514 x122
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Disability Rights Network strongly urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Act.
The bill, which has already cleared the U.S. House of Representatives, will ensure that millions of Americans have up to two weeks of job protected sick leave for coronavirus-related illness and expands family and medical leave to allow families to take care of their loved ones affected by the virus. The legislation also strengthens unemployment insurance and increases funding for Medicaid.
“It is imperative for the Senate to pass this legislation not only to support working Americans but to help slow the spread of the virus,” said NDRN Executive Director Curt Decker. “Our nation is in a crisis. Families must be able to stay home if they are sick without risking their livelihood.”
The legislation is particularly important to people with disabilities, many of whom rely on personal care aids or receive services through schools or other community programs, often paid for through Medicaid. As the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing the suspension of these service, many people with disabilities have nowhere to turn but their families.
“The Senate must do all it can immediately to ensure the health, safety and economic security of all Americans,” continued Decker.
# # #
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
