Jeff Peters

Medical Billing Focus Group 2021 Form

Medical Billing Abuse Focus Group Registration Form

Date: April 15, 6:30-8 PM

By completing the form below, I consent to the following:

I understand that the results of the focus group will be used to advocate with lawmakers for improved consumer protections for New Yorkers. This may include summaries of the comments made by participants and actual quotes of some comments. I am aware that this session will be recorded. A consent form will be presented before the event and a Zoom link will be sent to participate. Submission of this form is consent for use of my video/image/audio and any recording. A $50 fee will be mailed to participants after the event at the address listed below.

Please note that limited space is available and we may close registration to people who wish to attend if we get enough registrants. Therefore, we depend on your attendance if you register. You will only be contacted if you are selected for the focus group.

If you must cancel, we would appreciate you letting Heidi Siegfried know at hsiegfried@cidny.org or (917) 251-4981 at least 48 hours in advance so that we can contact other potential attendees. Thank you.

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A Statement on the Recent Surge of Anti-Asian Racism and Violence

The recent intensification of racially motivated violence targeting Asian Americans and people of Asian descent is unacceptable. Racism against Asian Americans has a long history in this country. Historically, Asian Americans have been excluded from entering the country, found their communities destroyed, were forced to fight to protect themselves and flee, or have been rounded up and placed in so-called “relocation centers.” The vigilantism we see today reminds us of the violence that happened in the 19th century. The escalation of hate for Asian Americans this year reminds us of these past wrongs. CIDNY wholeheartedly condemns anti-Asian discrimination.

Our hearts are with the families of those who died and those who were attacked including Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yuan González, Paul Andre Michels, Soon Chung Park, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Hyun Jung Grant, Maggie Cheng, Crisanna Tang, Mimi Lau, Yen Yen Pong, and others. We honor them.

The attacks on Asian Americans must stop. Concrete actions against anti-Asian racism are needed. Rallies around the nation have brought us together to demonstrate our support for action to prevent further attacks. We support financial help for the families and communities affected. We support teaching the history of Asian Americans in this country, more portrayals of Asian Americans in the media, action, and donations to organizations fighting hate to demonstrate solidarity. We support proposals addressing the rise in hate incidents against Asian Americans during the pandemic and the creation of a position at the Department of Justice to handle hate crimes and offer guidance to state and local lawmakers. We support the call for guidance from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance and best practices to prevent and condemn statements and actions associating Asian Americans with the pandemic.

We agree. Enough is enough. Stop the hate.

Are You Ready To Lead A Premier Disability Rights Center In New York City? Become the next Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY

This is a rare opportunity for a proven disability rights leader to become the next Executive Director of a well known, highly respected civil rights organization in New York City. The next Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) will inherit an organization that has an established reputation as a leader among civil rights organizations and independent living centers throughout New York, the Northeast and the Nation. CIDNY is a financially stable, mission-driven organization with a strong culture of disability rights values. The work of CIDNY’s staff, most of whom have disabilities, covers multiple programs in 5 mandated core areas including peer mentoring, skills training, information and referral, advocacy and transition. CIDNY is an important voice in New York City and State government advocating for public policy changes that improve the lives of people with disabilities. The individual fortunate enough to be chosen for this position will have significant disability rights leadership experience and skills. Driven by a deep passion for human rights and social justice, CIDNY’s Board and staff place a high value on a leader who is self-aware, committed to disability and social justice, open to shared learning and genuinely compassionate. This is an outstanding position for a strategic, and visionary leader to build on more than four decades of innovative disability rights advocacy in New York City.

The mission of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) is more important now than ever before. People with disabilities are up against unending challenges exacerbated by Covid 19 – increased economic inequity, discrimination in accessing health care, transportation, effective communication, in addition to unnecessary institutionalization and a lack of accessible housing options. In short, discrimination against people already pushed to the sidelines.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

CLICK HERE TO READ THE POSITION DESCRIPTION

A Statement from CIDNY on the Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States

We are deeply troubled by the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. We are extremely concerned about the impact that her addition to the Supreme Court will have on people with disabilities. We fear that advances made, over the last forty years, can be taken from us and our lives put at risk.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shown a willingness to endorse government discrimination against people with disabilities. Her dissent in a decision about the public charge rule said that placing additional burdens on people with disabilities is reasonable and not in conflict with longstanding disability rights law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). She has also joined an opinion that exclusion of children with disabilities from school districts, based on their educational needs, is not in conflict with the ADA and Section 504.

Her views contrast sharply with those of late United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Justice Ginsburg authored and joined in the majority on decisions interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act and other matters that have had a profound impact on our lives. For example, she authored the decision in Olmstead v L.C. which held that people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting.

One of the first cases that Justice Coney Barrett will hear as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States is on the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare or ACA). Judge Barrett claims to be “not hostile” towards the ACA but her past opinions have shown otherwise. The ACA has improved for people with disabilities. It protects against discrimination in health care and on the basis of pre-existing conditions. It includes coverage for mental health, the ACA has helped people live on their own, out of institutions, and thrive.

We strongly opposed the nomination and joined other disability groups in urging the Senate to oppose her nomination. We disagree with the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. We expect to face the imposition of new roadblocks to equality for people with disabilities resulting from Amy Coney Barrett’s addition to the Supreme Court. We will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. We will not go back.