Public Policy Committee

 

Michigan Rehabilitation Association

Policy Committee

 

The MRA Policy Committee is organized in effort to achieve specific goals as well as general informational, educational, and advocacy services for the individuals and professionals that we serve. Below we have our organized sub-committees and the specific areas covered by each. As a committee we encourage participation and the sharing of information. If there is an area of interest that you think applies to us, or needs to be explored please feel free to contact us at:

mra@michiganrehabilitationassociation.com
 
 
An Opportunity to Review our Candidates for Governor:
Date of Primary: August 3rd 2010
 
The Michigan Rehabilitation Association (MRA) is providing the web sites for each of the candidates that are running for Governor of Michigan (please see below). Most web pages offer information on various platforms and opinions held by the candidates, along with ideas of where they would focus their attention should they be elected.The candidates are presented in alphabetical order, and the information does not represent an official position of the Michigan Rehabilitation Association.
 
It is our goal that this information may assist in reviewing the various platforms of the candidates. We encourage you to visit the web pages provided and inform yourself of the candidates running for Governor of Michigan. Within the field of rehabilitation there are obvious areas of interest, such as health-care, insurance, and funding for services. However, within this next administration we will see many monumental issues that have the potential to be taken up by our legislators. Reforming government structures, private and public services, private insurance, public programming, education, industry and employment sectors, will all have the potential for significant change within the coming four years.
 
As members of Michigan Rehabilitation Association, we encourage you to get to know your candidates and to get involved in the election process. As an association we are driven to educate and inform our legislators of the policies and legislation being created that impacts people with disabilities and our profession. As members we will work with whatever party is elected to office with an overall goal of educating and insuring they understand the needs within our communities. Your input and involvement is vital to the outcome.
 
Remember: "Medium is somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware." Doug Larson.
 
Karsten Bekemeier
Public Policy Chair
Michigan Rehabilitation Association
 
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN
INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joe Schwarz (I)      Specific candidate web page not found
 
 
 
 
 
Service Capacity Sub-Committee
 
  1. Support expansion of the Michigan Freedom To Work Medicaid buy-in program
 
  1. Work, in alliance with other disability advocacy organizations, to achieve the full inclusion of persons with disabilities
    1. Seek expansion of community based long-term care programs through DCH
    2. Support Mental Health Parity Legislation in Michigan
    3. Support Common Disability Agenda
 
Insurance Related Sub-Committee
 
  1. Support disability management, workers compensation and auto no-fault policies and practices that effectively assist workers with disabilities to return to work
 
    1. Oppose caps on attendant care and other restrictions on health care in auto no-fault insurance
    2. Work in C-PAN Coalition to halt no-fault rollbacks
    3. Oppose reductions in benefits and coverage in disability related insurance
 
  1. Support legislation that reduces the incidence of accidental disability
    1. Oppose repeal of Michigan’s Motorcycle Helmet Law. With Heads First Coalition
    2. Support implementation of meaningful ergonomic standards
 
Community Participation Sub-Committee
 
  1. Support efforts to expand electoral/political participation by persons with disabilities 
  1. Seek appointment of qualified persons from the disability community to state boards, commissions, and councils
    1. Seek appointment of Rehab Counselor to Board of  Counseling (BOC)
    2. Monitor BOC activities 
  1. Develop MRA’s advocacy capacity
    1. List-serve
    2. Website
    3. Partnership with other organizations
    4. Support the disability caucus in the Michigan legislature
    5. Individual member advocacy
 Advocacy for Workforce and Professional Issues Sub-Committee
           
  1. Achieve rehabilitation and workforce services for Michigan citizens with disabilities 
    1. In concert with NRA, support reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act (Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act) and reauthorization of the    Workforce Investment Act
    2. Support adequate state GF/GP match for MRS and MCB to fully capture federal VR dollars
    3. Support fully accessible Michigan Works! Programs and facilities
  1. Promote the utilization of qualified rehabilitation professionals in vocational rehabilitation and educational transition, behavioral health, and Medicaid reimbursement settings
    1. Seek enactment of qualified transition provider standards in special education rule that include rehabilitation counselors
    2. Pursue restoration of licensed counselors to parity with social workers and limited license psychologists in pay and status under the child and adult Medicaid waiver

ELECTION PRIMARY

Remember to Vote August 3rd!

Join MRA

To become a member, visit the National Rehabilitation Association.

MRA endorses Sara Sundeen for NRA President Elect. See Legislative for more info

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