Re: news from the NDSS

[Guest guest]

Do you have a link because the official bill and legislation site lists that bill as referred to the house subcommittee in 2009 and no other actions since then. Although there is lots of manipulation going on of special needs groups to get a bad tax bill passed. I would be very careful and ask for official links and research everything yourself before hauling off and contacting your senators.H.R.1205 Latest Title: ABLE Act of 2009 Sponsor: Rep Crenshaw, Ander [FL-4] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (203) Related Bills: S.493 Latest Major Action: 3/2/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Peace, D-BNolan ~Age 8~ My Boy, my hero, my superman, who dreams of serving his country just like his dad.Phoebe ~Age 5.5~ The sparkle of my life born with Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis, and destined for greatness. ~~Tea Party in the Park~~ An open discussion homeschool group with a tea party twist~*~65 Roses and Sweet Tea~*~ An open discussion Cf group Warning. I wish you Merry Christmas, and I’m not afraid to say it. ~me~ From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange [mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of mjpsewSent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:47 PMTo: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] news from the NDSS Passing this on so that those in the states where the senators are on the finance committee....see below. Jo CONTACT SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS URGING ACTION THIS SESSION ON THE ABLE ACT! Take Action!The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) would give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. The ABLE Act will allow individuals with disabilities and their families to create a disability savings accounts or 'ABLE Account' that would grow interest tax-free. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for the individual, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. Funds in the account would not jeopardize benefits provided by any Federal program.Asset development is one step toward improving economic self-sufficiency, and this legislation would give individuals with disabilities and their families access to tax-advantaged savings such as those that are available to other Americans.ACTION REQUESTED:There is a strong possibility the ABLE Act could pass this Congressional session as part of the tax cut bill. The Senate Finance Committee will play a key role in deciding if the ABLE Act will be included in this legislation. If your Senator is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, please contact your Senator immediately. The tax reform bill is moving quickly. Your Senator is most likely to listen to you – the constituent. So check the list below and if you live in one of these states, in the " Call Now " box enter your zip code and click 'go' and ACT NOW!SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:Members:Members:Baucus, Max (MT) , Chairman Rockefeller, D. (WV) Conrad, Kent (ND) Bingaman, Jeff (NM) Kerry, F. (MA) Lincoln, Blanche L. (AR) Wyden, Ron (OR) Schumer, E. (NY) Stabenow, Debbie (MI) Cantwell, (WA) , Bill (FL) Menendez, (NJ) Carper, R. (DE)Grassley, Chuck (IA), Ranking MemberHatch, Orrin G. (UT)Snowe, Olympia J. (ME)Kyl, Jon (AZ)Bunning, Jim (KY)Crapo, Mike (ID), Pat (KS)Ensign, (NV)Enzi, B. (WY)Cornyn, (TX)BACKGROUND INFORMATION: For more information on the ABLE Act, click here If you are not on the NDSS action alert email list and would like to receive these alerts and information bulletins, please subscribe at: http://capwiz.com/ndss/mlm/signup/

[Guest guest]

Here is the senate version of the bill and the last action was in 2009 when it was referred to a finance committee. S.493 Latest Title: ABLE Act of 2009 Sponsor: Sen Casey, P., Jr. [PA] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (24) Related Bills: H.R.1205 Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Peace, D-BNolan ~Age 8~ My Boy, my hero, my superman, who dreams of serving his country just like his dad.Phoebe ~Age 5.5~ The sparkle of my life born with Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis, and destined for greatness. ~~Tea Party in the Park~~ An open discussion homeschool group with a tea party twist~*~65 Roses and Sweet Tea~*~ An open discussion Cf group Warning. I wish you Merry Christmas, and I’m not afraid to say it. ~me~ From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange [mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of mjpsewSent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:47 PMTo: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] news from the NDSS Passing this on so that those in the states where the senators are on the finance committee....see below. Jo CONTACT SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS URGING ACTION THIS SESSION ON THE ABLE ACT! Take Action!The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) would give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. The ABLE Act will allow individuals with disabilities and their families to create a disability savings accounts or 'ABLE Account' that would grow interest tax-free. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for the individual, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. Funds in the account would not jeopardize benefits provided by any Federal program.Asset development is one step toward improving economic self-sufficiency, and this legislation would give individuals with disabilities and their families access to tax-advantaged savings such as those that are available to other Americans.ACTION REQUESTED:There is a strong possibility the ABLE Act could pass this Congressional session as part of the tax cut bill. The Senate Finance Committee will play a key role in deciding if the ABLE Act will be included in this legislation. If your Senator is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, please contact your Senator immediately. The tax reform bill is moving quickly. Your Senator is most likely to listen to you – the constituent. So check the list below and if you live in one of these states, in the " Call Now " box enter your zip code and click 'go' and ACT NOW!SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:Members:Members:Baucus, Max (MT) , Chairman Rockefeller, D. (WV) Conrad, Kent (ND) Bingaman, Jeff (NM) Kerry, F. (MA) Lincoln, Blanche L. (AR) Wyden, Ron (OR) Schumer, E. (NY) Stabenow, Debbie (MI) Cantwell, (WA) , Bill (FL) Menendez, (NJ) Carper, R. (DE)Grassley, Chuck (IA), Ranking MemberHatch, Orrin G. (UT)Snowe, Olympia J. (ME)Kyl, Jon (AZ)Bunning, Jim (KY)Crapo, Mike (ID), Pat (KS)Ensign, (NV)Enzi, B. (WY)Cornyn, (TX)BACKGROUND INFORMATION: For more information on the ABLE Act, click here If you are not on the NDSS action alert email list and would like to receive these alerts and information bulletins, please subscribe at: http://capwiz.com/ndss/mlm/signup/

[Guest guest]

Here is the info from NDSS but the latest news here was in the summer (if it has been added into a current tax bill perhaps a link to that would be good): http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content & view=article & id=262%3Alegislation-and-initiatives & catid=39%3Apolicy & Itemid=143 & limitstart=3 Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (S. 493/HR 1205)The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) bill, allows for the creation of tax-advantaged disability savings accounts for individuals with Down syndrome, without risking losing benefits.Key Features of the ABLE ACT of 2009: Creates the first-ever tax-advantaged financial savings vehicle specifically designed for individuals with disabilities.Allows control of the account by the individual beneficiaries and/or their families.Eliminates barriers to working and saving by preventing assets saved through ABLE accounts from counting against an individual’s eligibility for any federal benefits program. Ensures a very flexible use of funds, through a broad list of allowable expenditures incurred by individuals with disabilities to meet their long-term, ongoing support needs. The ABLE Act provides individuals with disabilities the same types of savings tools that all other Americans have through college savings accounts, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts.Provides flexibility and portability for all individuals and families. The account does not limit how the funds are invested and since it is established at the federal level the provisions apply from state to state.Provides tax incentives to encourage savings and asset development among even the economically poorest working individuals with disabilities.Provides Medicaid and fraud protection through penalties for abuse and a Medicaid pay-back provision.Current Status: Through a partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV), and the Coalition to Promote Self-Determination, NDSS led a successful effort to reach consensus within the disability community, the Senate, and the House to introduce the bill. Bipartisan support for the bill includes 203 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 24 Senate cosponsors. A big push is needed immediately to urge Senate Finance Committee members to support including the ABLE Act in the tax legislation currently being considered in Congress. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jun/25/able-act-is-a-step-worth-taking/print Peace, D-BNolan ~Age 8~ My Boy, my hero, my superman, who dreams of serving his country just like his dad.Phoebe ~Age 5.5~ The sparkle of my life born with Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis, and destined for greatness. ~~Tea Party in the Park~~ An open discussion homeschool group with a tea party twist~*~65 Roses and Sweet Tea~*~ An open discussion Cf group Warning. I wish you Merry Christmas, and I’m not afraid to say it. ~me~ From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange [mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of mjpsewSent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:47 PMTo: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] news from the NDSS Passing this on so that those in the states where the senators are on the finance committee....see below. Jo CONTACT SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS URGING ACTION THIS SESSION ON THE ABLE ACT! Take Action!The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) would give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. The ABLE Act will allow individuals with disabilities and their families to create a disability savings accounts or 'ABLE Account' that would grow interest tax-free. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for the individual, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. Funds in the account would not jeopardize benefits provided by any Federal program.Asset development is one step toward improving economic self-sufficiency, and this legislation would give individuals with disabilities and their families access to tax-advantaged savings such as those that are available to other Americans.ACTION REQUESTED:There is a strong possibility the ABLE Act could pass this Congressional session as part of the tax cut bill. The Senate Finance Committee will play a key role in deciding if the ABLE Act will be included in this legislation. If your Senator is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, please contact your Senator immediately. The tax reform bill is moving quickly. Your Senator is most likely to listen to you – the constituent. So check the list below and if you live in one of these states, in the " Call Now " box enter your zip code and click 'go' and ACT NOW!SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:Members:Members:Baucus, Max (MT) , Chairman Rockefeller, D. (WV) Conrad, Kent (ND) Bingaman, Jeff (NM) Kerry, F. (MA) Lincoln, Blanche L. (AR) Wyden, Ron (OR) Schumer, E. (NY) Stabenow, Debbie (MI) Cantwell, (WA) , Bill (FL) Menendez, (NJ) Carper, R. (DE)Grassley, Chuck (IA), Ranking MemberHatch, Orrin G. (UT)Snowe, Olympia J. (ME)Kyl, Jon (AZ)Bunning, Jim (KY)Crapo, Mike (ID), Pat (KS)Ensign, (NV)Enzi, B. (WY)Cornyn, (TX)BACKGROUND INFORMATION: For more information on the ABLE Act, click here If you are not on the NDSS action alert email list and would like to receive these alerts and information bulletins, please subscribe at: http://capwiz.com/ndss/mlm/signup/

[Guest guest]

,

I was passing on the info I got directly from the NDSS & NDSC. I never thought

that it might not be the right thing to do to pass it on to this group. I am

rather naive, I will admit.

Jo

>

[Guest guest]

It IS important to pass these things on, and I am just another member like you.

I do not make the rules, but I want to help people become more aware.

Especially people in the special needs community.

I think it is vitally important to make sure people do not take things for

granted just because someone said it came from one group or another.

We MUST find out for ourselves and do our own research before we get upset or

become activists calling our senators and/or sending out blast emails.

That is why it is important to provide links to the information, so people can

view it and decide the best action to take. We are not always going to agree,

but we need to have all the information first to find out where we stand on one

issue or another. We have been manipulated for too long and I wont advocate for

that anymore. We need to stay informed and not have knee jerk reactions without

thinking things through.

Too many times I have seen bad legislation attached to some kind of emotional

special interest group (like special needs) that is designed to generate support

when people do not even know what else it is attached to. Sometimes the

attachment hurts them even worse. I am not making the case not to call your

senators, but I am making the case to become informed about it all before you

do.

The other unintended consequence that can happen it when a public is misinformed

and calling legislators with partial information, is the legislators start to

doubt the knowledge of the people. They start to listen to high paid lobbyists

because those guys ARE informed on all the issues. The lobbyists will hob nob

with our reps insisting they know best, and the poor lowly people are too easily

confused.

NO, we are smarter than that, and THEY work for US. (sorry I am not yelling,

just emphasizing. )

One thing great about this group is that links are allowed, so it is easy to

provide research or the actual article provided by NDSS. Did you happen to get

that by the way? I would still love to see it.

> >

>