Mike Ervin

Mixed feelings about impact of Obama’s health plan on the disabled »

By Mike Ervin, March 3, 2010

The proposal contains important elements that could improve the lives of many disabled Americans. But the thrust of the overall proposal seems so wrongheaded that passing it as is may do more harm than good in the long run.read more

Presidential commission bodes ill for people with disabilities  »

By Mike Ervin, February 8, 2010

President Obama’s decision to create a commission on how to cut so-called entitlement programs is ominous news for millions of people with disabilities.read more

Proposed home health care cuts will have a negative impact on people like me »

By Mike Ervin, December 17, 2009

Congressional leaders should not be looking to finance health care reform on the backs of people with disabilities.read more

Poverty and disability greatly correlated, new study shows »

By Mike Ervin, November 3, 2009

Hard economic times are even harder when you have a disability. But poverty and disability don’t have to be synonymous — if we design our policies well.read more

People with disabilities left out of health care debate »

By Mike Ervin, September 18, 2009

Many Americans who require the daily assistance of others to live in our homes and communities must turn to Medicaid for help covering the cost of that care. But first we usually have to impoverish ourselves just to become eligible.read more

10th anniversary of freedom for people with disabilities »

By Mike Ervin, June 21, 2009

This June 22, many people with disabilities should be celebrating the 10th anniversary of our independence day.read more

Obama’s stimulus package aids people with disabilities »

By Mike Ervin, March 5, 2009

For the first time in many years, the White House is taking the side of people with disabilities. In his economic stimulus package that became law, President Obama included several provisions that will have a positive effect for this community.read more

Jerry Lewis doesn’t deserve a humanitarian award at the Oscars »

By Mike Ervin, February 19, 2009

By giving Lewis this honor, the board of governors of the Academy shows that its view of people with disabilities and our potential has not evolved in 50 years.read more

Obama, Congress must repeal Medicaid rule change »

By Mike Ervin, January 5, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama and the new Democratic Congress must repeal a terrible rule change that the Bush administration imposed while packing up.read more

Obama must improve the lives of Americans with disabilities »

By Mike Ervin, November 12, 2008

As a candidate, he put forth a detailed agenda on this issue, recognizing the unmet needs of millions of Americans. Now the work begins.read more

Obama should visit Latin America »

By Randy Jurado Ertll, July 31, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama should travel to Latin America.
His much-publicized trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and Europe made him look presidential.
But by not going to Latin America, he is giving short shrift to this crucial region.read more

One year after Jena tree was cut, little progress has been made »

By David A. Love, July 31, 2008

We have made some progress since the ugly incidents in Jena, La. But we still have a long way to go to make the noose a thing of the past.

On August 31, 2006, a black student at Jena High School asked the principal if he could have permission to sit under the "white tree," the tree where white students typically congregated. The principal told the student to sit wherever he liked. The student and his friends decided to sit under the white tree.read more

Long-term care issue needs attention »

By Mike Ervin, July 29, 2008

I am one of millions of Americans with disabilities who rely on the assistance of others to navigate through each day. I hire people to help me get out of bed and into my wheelchair and to perform activities of daily living. My workers are paid through a state program that is essentially funded by Medicaid.read more

Nursing home residents will be hurt by funding cuts »

By Mike Ervin, March 12, 2008

The Bush administration is now going after poor people who want to get out of nursing homes. Earlier this month, the Bush administration put forth new restrictions on Medicaid funding.read more

Law enforcement needs more training for handling disabled people »

By Mike Ervin, February 14, 2008

The videotape of a quadriplegic man being dumped from his wheelchair by a sheriff's deputy while in custody in Florida has stirred outrage and has led to the unpaid suspension of the deputy. For the 1.6 million people like me who use wheelchairs, the incident is particularly galling.read more

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