VOR Response to ACLU/SEIU Call for Cuts to Congregate Care

In a petition dated June 23, 2020 filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the ACLU, SEIU, and several partner groups outlined concerns with the federal response to the novel coronavirus epidemic and used these concerns to call for a 50 percent reduction in congregate care nationwide.  The petitioners defined congregate care to include nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IID), psychiatric facilities, and home and community-based services (HCBS) group homes. 

On July 1st, VOR issued a firm response in opposition to ACLU and SEUI’s irresponsible and unreasonable demand which would remove all forms of long-term care for the elderly and persons with mental disabilities, except for the family home or private residence.

In repsonse to the ACLU's petition, VOR wrote:

“…the ACLU has cast its net too wide, and falsely claimed to represent the interests of everyone receiving federally funded services who is classified as elderly or who has intellectual and developmental disabilities. In doing so, it apparently assumes that all such persons look and feel alike and need the same supports and level of care. We, who represent our family members and loved ones with I/DD, must disagree with that assumption that ignores the diversity and the very rights of this vulnerable population. We, therefore, must soundly reject the petitioner’s claim to represent us.”

Read VOR’s full response to ACLU/SEUI petition here.