releases: https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/caring-long-islanders-disabilities
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/caring-long-islanders-disabilities | Caring for Long Islanders With Disabilities | 2018-12-17 | 2018 | 2018-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Individuals with disabilities deserve full and equal protection under the law, and one of the reasons why our country is the greatest in the world is our recognition of the need to care for our most vulnerable citizens. Self-sufficiency and independence are values we all cherish as Americans, and that begins with ensuring individuals with disabilities and their families are able to receive the care they need, in a safe and reliable environment, and that they have the tailored tools and resources they need, such as customizable wheelchairs, at a reasonable price. That's why it was so alarming to learn that in the State of New York, physical abuse of the disabled has been ignored and swept under the rug due to the lack of action taken by the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. It is unacceptable that the State of New York continues to receive billions of federal tax dollars to care for these patients while neglecting to investigate suspicious deaths and abuse of patients that happen in their very facilities, and it is clear the state refuses to hold itself accountable. Since its inception in 2013, the Center has neglected its mission and failed to take meaningful steps to address systematic failures, and as such, it is critical the Department of Justice investigate. That's why I was joined by my New York Congressional colleagues, Representatives Peter King, Elise Stefanik and Tom Reed, in calling for a thorough Department of Justice investigation to finally secure justice for individuals with disabilities who have died or were otherwise abused while in state care as a result of criminal misconduct. We cannot allow this to continue. This month, my legislation that protects access to critical equipment for individuals with disabilities passed the House of Representatives. In November of 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a rule stating that accessories used on complex rehabilitative wheelchairs would no longer be a part of the fixed fee schedule and would be subject to competitive bidding pricing, decreasing access to customized wheelchairs and accessories relied on by adults and children with disabilities. This legislation provides a commonsense clarification to ensure those in the Medicare program do not have to go through the difficulty of adjusting to new rules and pricing arbitrarily set by CMS. This will ensure that they have reliable and consistent access to the equipment they need. In August of this year, I had the opportunity to visit Brendan House in Riverhead, a New Beginnings community center aimed at helping Long Islanders with cognitive and physical disabilities. It was an honor to meet Erin Hickey, a Brendan House resident who recently lost both of her legs to a traumatic injury. We must never stop fighting for people like Erin and all others with disabilities. Providing support for those who need it the most has been a principle Americans have stood by for generations, and we must continue to help the many vulnerable men and women who are living with disabilities on Long Island and across the country. Congressman Lee Zeldin represents the First Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |