Why is the @BernieSanders #disability plan so good? Let's go over some of the highlights. Because trust me, I'd be a lot less openly enthused if this were a bad plan. (THREAD) 1/?
Let's start off with firsts: it acknowledges disability rights as civil rights off the bat. This might sound as a "duh", but in a world where disability is often seen as this tragic thing where we lack in voices, this is a BFD.
My favorite topic is mental health, coming from the perspective of being a self advocate with bipolar disorder who takes a crap load of pills to stay semi-tethered to reality. Here @BernieSanders acknowledges MH as a disability issue, and not as some separate tragedy...
... Of people who should be neither seen nor heard. My fave is that it takes a stance against psych institutionalization. It promises to enforce Olmstead against psych hospitals, and vows to protect HIPAA on MI and sees the importance of self agency.
The plan talks up issues that are often unknown outside of the #Disability community. E.g. The marriage penalty with SSA, and the privatization of Medicare services in Iowa.
Another amazing aspect is that it ties #MedicareforAll as a disability issue and gives serious thought to ensuring it benefits us. Guaranteeing PCA services and other HCBS without any means testing is an essential part of this.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that it starts off with executive actions that don't need Congress. This is VERY good, considering how hard legislation can be. Anyway, I can't summarize all of how awesomesauce this plan is. Read it at berniesanders.com/en/issues/figh…
Today I'm very much proud to support @BernieSanders for President, and thank you for the birthday present in the acknowledgements. :)
