Help NOEWAIT End The Waitlist for Needed Services

Dear Friends,

Did you know: Many people with developmental disabilities and their families
are on "waitlist" for home and community-based services in their state's own
Medicaid program?

Did you know: There are over 300,000 Americans in these queues, which
frequently involve many years of waiting. As families, we struggle to do the
best we can to earn a living while also caring for our loved ones who may
require extensive help with the activities of daily living that most take
for granted. The challenges facing people on waitlists and their families
are significant, and in many cases can be debilitating.

Did you know: Medicaid home and community-based services are not portable!
That means that people with developmental disabilities who are fortunate
enough to receive services cannot move to another state for a military
transfer, or to take a promotion in the private sector, or to help care for
an aging family member, without starting over at the bottom of the waitlist
in the new state.

Did you know: We need your help! You are getting this message because you
have supported NOEWAIT by signing a petition to End the Waitlist for
individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Do you know: The National Organization to End the Waitlist (NOEWAIT) has
been working on this issue for almost two years, thanks to its volunteer
members. No one is paid a cent to work for NOEWAIT. We have volunteers all
over the country giving of their time in this massive effort to join
together to have our collective voices heard to end the waitlist for
services. We appreciate and encourage your involvement.
You can join by contacting NOEWAIT@NOEWAIT.NET

Do you know: These are the folks across the country on the Steering
Committee who are helping:

Maureen Devaney, Pennsylvania

Lori Fahey, Florida

Denver Fox, Colorado

Pedro Geraldino, Pennsylvania

John Hall, Florida

Did you know: The petition to End the Waitlist, which was signed by 11,000
concerned citizens, has been hand delivered to the President of the United
States, Vice President Biden, influential federal Representatives, Senators,
Special Assistant for Disability Issues Kareem Dale and Cindy Mann, Director
of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations. Also sent to each was a
personal letter, the list of 11,000 signatures and selected poignant
comments.

Did you know: That we greatly appreciate the efforts of all who signed the
petition, and invite everyone to join us in a further effort to impact
Congress, by sending your own personal letter directed to your federal
Representatives and Senators, including a copy of the petition, a list of
the 11,000 signatories, and selected comments. Think what an impact it would
make if the congress received thousands and thousands of similar letters and
copies of the petition!

Did you know: We need your help, and helping is easy! You will find
everything you need to send a powerful letter on our web page:

http://www.ourwebs.info/indexnoe.htm

There are instructions, a "fill in the address" letter, the actual petition,
and a list of the signatures. There are also links to help you find your
federal representatives and their local addresses. All you need to do is
download the documents and follow the instructions!

Make your voice heard. Silence is the enemy. Please join us in this effort!

We look forward to your help.