North Carolina legislators want disability rights enhanced

On Behalf of O’Malley Tunstall PLLC | Aug 5, 2019 | Long-Term Disability

The 29th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act was recently celebrated here in Raleigh and across the nation. “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down,” President George H.W. Bush said at the time he signed the historic civil rights bill that made clear the protections of the law for people living with disabilities.

However, the U.S. Senate’s HELP (health, education, labor and pensions) committee says the law needs to be buttressed. Far too often states are failing to fulfill the promise of community living that is a part of the ADA.

The failure to uphold the ADA’s mandate that states and private insurers cannot interfere with the right to long-term services and supports in communities. Disability rights advocates have proposed legislation to strengthen the ADA and extend its protections. The bipartisan Disability Integration Act would put into writing and law the right of people with disabilities to live and get critical services in their homes.

It would also help to secure the right to freedom, by prohibiting forcing disabled folks into institutions with unneeded government regulations. Among the co-sponsors of the Disability Integration Act include three North Carolina members of the House of Representatives:

• Rep. Alma Adams
• Rep. David Price
• Rep. Patrick McHenry

Of course, one of the many obstacles those with disabilities must often overcome is the denial or unreasonable delay of long-term disability benefits by insurers, even when illnesses or injuries are documented.

One of the most effective ways of obtaining the benefits to which you are entitled is to speak with a skilled Raleigh attorney experienced in protecting clients from unfair insurance company tactics.