Now - more than ever - people with disabilities need a federal law ensuring that we can live in freedom!

• During the pandemic, more than 200,000 people in institutions died from COVID-19;
• Despite all of the work we have done, according to the US Census, the number of people in nursing facilities actually increased over the last 10 years; and
• The Supreme Court is potentially poised to reverse or limit the Olmstead decision.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act is bipartisan and bicameral civil rights legislation that addresses the injustice of people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) being forced into institutions. The legislation, a previous version of which was known as the Disability Integration Act, builds on decades of Disability advocacy and activism to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization.

The legislation ensures Disability Freedom by:

• clarifying that every individual who is eligible for LTSS has a federally protected right to receive services and supports in the community;
• requiring that states and other LTSS insurance providers deliver services in a manner that allows Disabled individuals to live in the most integrated setting, have maximum control over their services and supports, and lead an independent life;
• articulating the right to live in the community without creating unnecessary government programs, ensuring that states have broad latitude to determine how they will secure this right;
• establishing a comprehensive planning requirement comparable to the process states used to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act which includes addressing disparities in the provision and availability of HCBS; and
• requiring public entities to address the need for affordable, accessible, integrated housing that is independent of service delivery.