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- AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 1990-2006 - 16 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE
- GAP IN MEDICARE COVERAGE
- A VERY SPECIAL WEDDING: SUJEET DESAI & CARRIE BERGERON
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 1990-2006
16 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE
NYSACRA wants to remind everyone that we are approaching the 16th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Several town halls and government buildings are holding ceremonies and meetings to mark the anniversary. The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. It applies to recruitment, advertising, tenure, layoff, leave, fringe benefits, and all other employment-related activities.
Employment discrimination is prohibited against "qualified individuals with disabilities." Persons discriminated against because they have a known association or relationship with a disabled individual are also protected. The ADA defines an "individual with a disability" as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.
GAP IN MEDICARE COVERAGE
Those enrolled in the new Medicare drug program are about to hit a gap in their coverage and will have to start paying out of pocket for their prescriptions. People enrolled in the Medicare Part D drug plan will hit this coverage ceiling when their total drug costs, paid by both the patient and insurance, reach $2250 for the year. After reaching that ceiling, beneficiaries will have to pay out of pocket for all their drug costs as well as their monthly drug coverage premiums, averaging about $24, until their total spending for the year reaches $5100. They would then be eligible for catastrophic coverage, which would pay for 95% of their drug costs. Schumer is proposing legislation that would eliminate premiums for enrollees in the coverage gap and phase it out over time.
A VERY SPECIAL WEDDING: SUJEET DESAI & CARRIE BERGERON
Sujeet Desai and Carrie Bergeron were married on July 17, 2006 in a traditional Hindu wedding, followed by a church ceremony two weeks later. Both Sujeet and Carrie have Down syndrome, yet they have overcome their handicaps to mark significant personal accomplishments. And their efforts to start a life together as husband and wife, with the help of their parents, have attracted national attention. The couple, from New York State, were profiled in the October edition of the Wall Street Journal and appeared on ABC’s talk show “The View”. Both 60 Minutes and Time Magazine (This week’s issue) have covered their wedding ceremony. For additional information on the big event and pictures go to http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/special_wedding/
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