HURLEYVILLE, NY — Heaping praise upon the Center for Discovery and the cutting-edge treatment it provides to people with disabilities, Sen. Charles Schumer on January 7, appeared at a new Center for Discovery facility to announce new legislation intended to give disabled Americans a choice.

As things stand now, some disabled individuals are eligible for coverage of some treatments only if they reside in long-term facilities such as The Center for Discovery. Introduced on December 18, Schumer’s legislation, the Disability Integration Act of 2015, “ensures that any individual who is found eligible for institutional care must also be given the option to receive the same necessary services and supports at home, or in a setting of their choosing, that would have otherwise been provided in an institutional setting.”

Further, Schumer said his bill could reduce the financial burden of families of the disabled, who may be paying high out-of-pocket bills for some services and support because of the way the laws are set up.

“Individuals with disabilities have the right to live independent, fulfilling lives amongst their families and friends—but right now, they are often denied the kind of at-home services and supports that then keep them in institutional settings, far from their loved ones and communities. We need to be doing everything in our power to make sure they have the resources needed to live and thrive in the comfort of their own homes,” said Schumer.

Asked if his colleagues would support the legislation, Schumer said he thought over time they would. He pointed out that the House and Senate eventually passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) and it was signed into law in December 2014. That bill allows for the establishment of tax-free savings accounts to help pay for disability needs of individuals and families, and that effort came together over several years.

Patrick H. Dollard, president and CEO of The Center for Discovery, said, “For more than 60 years, The Center for Discovery has striven to create an inclusive world where everyone, regardless of their abilities or medical needs can lead full, productive lives. In Sullivan County we have proven the success of this model which has contributed to creating jobs, improving the local economy and enhancing the lives of the local community and our residents. We strongly support the goals of Senator Schumer’s legislation to integrate people with disabilities into the community with appropriate community-based services and support.”