The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies have been collaborating with Senator Casey (D-PA), Congressman Langevin (D-RI), and Congressman Panetta (D-CA) on the Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion (REAADI) Act and Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA). These two historic pieces of disability and disaster legislation will dismantle barriers faced by disaster-impacted people with disabilities, older adults, people with access and functional needs, and other Medicaid-eligible people impacted by disasters; improve outcomes; and increase disaster resources for disability organizations, emergency managers and local communities.­

REAADI:

• Ensures there is a strong disability and older adult voice throughout the preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation of disasters;
• Includes universal design and visitability standards, as well as reasonable modifications before, during and after disasters;
• Creates a network of disaster and disability centers focused on training, technical assistance, and research to assist states and localities to better include and support disaster-impacted people with disabilities, older adults and others who also have access and functional needs;
• Directs the Government Accountability Office to review the spending of disaster funds by federal agencies and states to ensure funds have been spent in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Creates a competitive grant program to pilot strategies for greater inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults and people with access and functional needs throughout disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation;
• Requires the Department of Justice to examine how the civil rights of people with disabilities and older adults are or are not upheld during and following disasters; and
• Establishes a role for centers for independent living throughout local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

DRMA:

• Provides uninterrupted access to Medicaid services when recipients must evacuate across state lines, which increases health maintenance and community living, and prevents institutionalization during disasters;
• Helps States meet the needs of Relief-Eligible Survivors through a two-year 100% federal match for displaced individuals;
• Provides technical assistance and support to develop innovative state-wide strategies to respond to an influx of out-of-state individuals;
• Creates a grant to help States develop an emergency response corps to provide home and community-based services; and
• Guarantees that a 100% federal matching payment for medical assistance is provided to states in disaster areas.

Reintroduction

On Thursday, August 5th, 2021 Senator Casey, along with 6 other Senators introduced REAADI (S. 2658) and DRMA (S. 2646) in the Senate!

On Friday, August 6th, 2021 Representative Langevin, along with 7 other Representatives, introduced REAADI (H.R. 4938) in the House, while Representative Panetta, along with 2 other Representatives introduced DRMA (H.R. 4937) in the House!

Take action now!

Reach out to your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support REAADI and DRMA. Go to https://reaadi.com/take-action-now/ for information and educational templates and materials.