Congressman Cohen Files Petition to Force a Vote on Latonya Reeves Freedom Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today filed a discharge petition on the House floor to force a vote on his Latonya Reeves Freedom Act. The rare parliamentary maneuver would require a vote on the measure if 218 members of Congress sign the petition. The bill currently has 222 cosponsors.

Congressman Cohen introduced the bill, named for the late Latonya Reeves, a Memphis woman who escaped a nursing home so that she could receive needed services in her home, in April. The bill would codify the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., assuring disabled people the qualified right to be treated in a setting of their choice.

In his floor speech after filing the petition, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"I rise today to support the millions of Americans living with a disability who want to stay in their homes. In 1999, the Supreme Court issued the Olmstead decision, finding that individuals with disabilities have a right under the Americans with Disabilities Act to receive state-funded supports and services while living independently in the community.

"This landmark decision promised to ensure people would have access to home- and community-based care as an alternative to institutionalization.

"However, now 25 years later, people are still being forced into institutions, including nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals.

"One person who wanted to live in her home before those services were court-affirmed was Latonya Reeves.

"She lived in my hometown of Memphis, but couldn't get the services in her home that she needed, so in 1991 she moved to Colorado where she could live without being institutionalized…

"While there, Ms. Reeves contributed to the community by working as a transition counselor and a community activist.

"This session, I introduced the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act, which would codify the Olmstead decision and strengthen the right of Americans with disabilities to receive long-term services and supports in the setting of their choice…

"Just a few minutes ago, I filed a discharge petition to bring the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act to the House floor for consideration.

"In the remaining days of the 118th Congress, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will sign the discharge petition to support the millions of Americans with disabilities who want to live in their homes.

"As a Congress - let's keep the American dream alive, and give people the simple freedom to stay in their home."

See Congressman Cohen's floor speech here.

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