Clinton Statement: Olmstead Case

Below please find a statement by President Clinton about today's 6-3Supreme Court decision on the Olmstead case. ========================================== THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (Aviano, Italy)__________________________________________________________________For Immediate Release June 22, 1999 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT I am pleased that the Supreme Court decision's in the Olmstead caseupholds the purposes of the ADA by recognizing that unjustified isolationof institutionalized persons with disabilities is prohibiteddiscrimination. This decision will increase access to home- andcommunity-based long term care services and support for these persons. My Administration is committed to finding affordable ways to enablepeople who need long term services and support to remain in the communityif they choose and are able to do so. The best way to continue progresstoward this goal is for State Governments, the Federal Government, and theaffected communities to work together to develop cost-effective ways toprovide these services. We must ensure that the quality of these servicesis excellent and that they are available to persons with disabilities ofall ages. Therefore, I am asking Secretary Shalala and Attorney General Reno towork with all interested parties to carry out today's decision in a fairand effective manner. Although this may not be easy in some cases, we cando it by working together in order to advance the goals of the ADA. Ourultimate goal is a nation that integrates people with disabilities into thesocial mainstream, promotes equality of opportunity, and maximizesindividual choice.