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Author Archives: Ianthe Dempsey

ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress: Hands Off Our Health Care!

| Ianthe Dempsey

Just a month after declaring that the Affordable Care Act will remain “the law of the land,” Congress is taking another swing at destroying Medicaid and taking away your health care. Their new version of the repeal bill is worse than ever, and they’re rushing it through the House...

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Tell Congress: don’t delay our civil rights!

| Ianthe Dempsey

Businesses have had 27 years to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the civil rights law which requires businesses to be accessible to people with disabilities. But some of them still want a pass on excluding disabled people. Right now, Members of Congress and corporate lobbyists...

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ACTION ALERT: Your Members of Congress are home – tell them what you think!

| Ianthe Dempsey

In the next two weeks, you have a chance to make a difference for the disability community. Your Members of Congress are back in their home states and districts until next Friday, April 21st. This is a crucial time to remind them that the disability community is still watching....

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What Does a Black Autistic Man Look Like?

| Ianthe Dempsey

One of the most accurate metaphors I’ve used to describe my life is this: I’ve occupied several closets simultaneously. To become my most authentic self, I had to emerge from each one and reckon with the conditions that convinced me that I needed to stay inside. In some cases,...

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ACTION ALERT: We know what’s at stake in ACA repeal – tell Congress to vote NO!

| Ianthe Dempsey

On Monday, the Congressional Budget Office released their report on what would happen if the Affordable Care Act repeal bill passes – and it’s horrifying. Under the proposed plan, 14 million people will lose their health insurance by next year. Over the next 10 years, that number grows to...

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ACTION ALERT: the clock is ticking to save the Affordable Care Act!

| Ianthe Dempsey

Dear friends, Congress is trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act THIS MONTH – and we need your help to stop them. Contact your Members of Congress and tell them to vote NO on ACA repeal. We asked Congress to show us their plan for replacement. They finally did,...

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ASAN Releases New Toolkit on Getting Through to Your Elected Officials

| Ianthe Dempsey

Right now, many people are getting involved in political advocacy for the first time. People are going to town hall meetings and making phone calls to their members of Congress. They’re writing letters and using social media to organize advocacy groups. This new wave of political advocacy is incredible....

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ASAN Opposes Seema Verma for CMS

| Ianthe Dempsey

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network calls on Congress to reject the nomination of Seema Verma, a longtime proponent of harmful health care policies, as Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Verma’s previous career as a consultant for State Medicaid programs raises serious concerns about her ability...

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Beating Drums: A Dialogue about Black History and Disability Advocacy

| Ianthe Dempsey

Black History Month initially began as “Negro History Week” in 1926. Initiated by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American scholar, educator, and publisher, the aim was to include into the annals of American history, the significant names and notable accomplishments of its black citizens. Black history is American...

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