Some days I am so proud to be a Pennsylvanian! Sorry for inundating you with blog posts today, but that’s what happens when I’m out of town for a week!
Me, at the Capitol just last week!
Here is copied text of the actual press release from Senator Casey’s office:
Casey Introduces Bill That Would Help Parents of Disabled Children Save for Their Care
ABLE Act Would Ease Financial Burdens for Individuals with Disabilities
Proposal Attracts Over 70 Bi-partisan, Bi-Cameral Original Co-Sponsors
Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) – bipartisan legislation to create an improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities through tax-free savings accounts. Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) also introduced companion legislation in the House.
“Parents of children with disabilities face daily struggles that we can’t even begin to imagine,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will help make it easier for those families to save for their children’s care and for their future. The ABLE Act will provide families with the financial peace of mind they need, and Congress should pass it immediately.”
The ABLE Act would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The bill, first introduced in 2006, aims to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. The bill would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.
Upon introduction, the legislation has earned 59 original House co-sponsors and 17 original Senate co-sponsors and is backed by more at least 50 local, state, and national disability advocacy groups, including the National Down Syndrome Society, The Arc, and Autism Speaks.
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What you should do if you support this
You should contact both of your Senators and your Congress person, stating that you are in support of this bill and wish for it to pass. Your ask is: “And I hope I can count on Senator so-and-so to vote for this.”
You can find your list of House and Senate people and their contact information here.
I also have this handy-dandy list of all the Senators and their Twitter handles.
US Senators List of Twitter ID
You can also follow this bill through the House and the Senate by registering for “Track this bill.” That button will appear when you click those links.
Contact the bill’s sponsors, if you are in their district, and thank them for co-sponsoring this bill.
House co-sponsors of ABLE Act
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60 cosponsors (32R, 28D) (show)(joined Feb 15, 2013)(joined Feb 15, 2013)Senate co-sponsors
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18 cosponsors (12D, 5R, 1I) (show)(joined Feb 14, 2013)
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Writer, blogger and Special Education Advocate. WAHM to two boys and two dogs, plus a husband. Metropolitan Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania born and raised.
While this bill is a good start, if the government would simply allow the disabled to have their own savings accts to cover retirement costs, healthcare not covered by medicare, and additional cost of living costs it would make a world of difference. It would also let them become active in taking control of their own lives. For instance, my daughter’s employer will match savings but if she does this she can lose her housing assistance/food stamps/and other assistance programs. Why not let the disabled take an active part in their futures and help pay for them? Makes a lot of dollars and cents(not to mention sense) to me.