Fall 2004 Candidate Guide

Disability Rights and the Upcoming Elections (November 2, 2004)

The fact that many candidates have not directly spoken of their stances on disability rights shows the general lack of concern towards those with disabilities. However, that does not mean there are not still important differences in candidates¢ policies as it pertains to Disability. Through examining official policy statements, past voting records, and interviews DASA has compiled a 2004 Disability Advocacy Voting Guide.

Presidential Race

John Kerry (D)

  • Co-Sponsored the ADA
  • Pledges to eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid/Medicare
  • Will reinstate the Executive Order by President Clinton to hire 100,000 qualified individuals with disabilities as federal employees
  • Also see Kerry's AAPD interview.

George W. Bush (R)

  • Increased IDEA funding by 3.7 billion
  • Will provide Telecommuting Incentives
  • Has pledged $350 million a year to the "Money Follows the Individual Rebalancing Demonstration"

Governor Race

Christine Gregoire (D)

  • Will work to lower prescription drug costs by working with other states and Canada
  • Ensure all children have health insurance by 2010
  • Hold the Federal Government accountable for paying their share of health insurance programs

Dino Rossi (R)

  • Will reform school district transportation and special education funding formulas
  • Protect teachers from lawsuits for removing “disruptive students”
    • Does not define disruptive students.
  • Wants to revamp health insurance requirements to lower mandatory coverage of items such as acupuncture

Senator Race

Patty Murray (D)

  • Fighting to protect Medicaid and Medicare, secured money to add $199 million to WA Medicaid
  • Has fought for CHIP to expand children¢s health insurance coverage in 10 states including WA

George R. Nethercutt (R)

  • Voted to cut funds to Medicaid and Medicare
  • Supports "No Child Left Behind"