1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Please lead a national effort to guarantee that illness, disability, childbirth, caregiving, or military service never condemns an American family to poverty. I urge you to champion universal affordable health coverage, mental and dental care, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare, accessible housing and transportation, strong home- and community-based disability services, caregiver support, maternal health care, and a permanent refundable child tax credit. Disability policy should be designed with disabled people and should allow people to work, marry, save money, and live independently without suddenly losing essential health care or assistance. Family caregivers should not be forced to sacrifice their own health and financial futures because needed professional care is unavailable. Please bring together disability advocates, veterans, patients, caregivers, medical professionals, workers, and families to develop a comprehensive Care and Independence Act. Please seek bipartisan cosponsors and request public hearings rather than allowing these issues to remain divided among separate programs and committees.