What policies will you propose to address the opioid crisis without eliminating pain management options for those who live with chronic pain?
I believe we need responsible policy that doesn’t eliminate pain management but that monitors the rate of prescription of highly addictive medications.
Would your proposed policies account for the needs of some individuals to utilize both medical marijuana and pain medication in different facets of their treatment? If so, how?
To best answer the question, I think we must evaluate the need of each patient being treated for pain. Some people have a higher tolerance of pain than others. With that said, I wouldn’t be able to take a one size for all approach. If individuals need both, there would need to be provisions for them to have access to both.
What changes will you make to ensure that people who require pain management services can access and receive services that center their individualized needs?
I would first need to take a closer look at current policy around it. That will afford me the best chance to make informed decisions.
Do you plan to address the disparity in equitable pain management treatment experienced by those in the Black, Indigenous and People of Color or multiply marginalized communities? If so, how?
I would certainly address it with the appropriate evidence-based data to support my argument.
What policies would you implement to ensure people with disabilities receive comprehensive, high quality, and equitable mental health services and insurance coverage?
I would work to get Healthcare for Mental Health legislation. This would include services for those with disabilities.
Share your thoughts on co-responder programs (mental health & law enforcement joint response to mental health crises).
I believe that it’s important that we decriminalize those experiencing a mental health crisis. In order to accomplish this, I would advocate for Mental Heath Units with Florida Law Enforcement Agencies. They would be trained to respond to calls with compassion with the assistance of psychotherapist.
How would you work to eliminate the disproportionate connection between being disabled and becoming entangled in the criminal justice system as opposed to being given necessary and equitable mental health treatment?
I believe that my response in question #9 is applicable to this question as well.
In your opinion, what can be done to identify and mitigate disability bias in the treatment of mental health? How would you work to address this?
Education…if we find ways to educate the pubic and law enforcement on mental health, that can help eliminate biases.
What policies would you propose to encourage public investment in improving accessibility and implementing universal design?
I would sponsor or support legislation that aides in making buildings that are grandfathered in disability accessible.
What policies or incentives will you promote to encourage private business owners to make their buildings accessible?
I think policy would be more impactful than incentive. However, I’m not completely sure on what that policy resembles.
How can housing data be utilized to better account for the needs of people with disabilities and to promote increasingly accessible living spaces?
I think housing date can be beneficial because it helps to recognize the needs of the home’s occupants, if there are those with disabilities living there.
What policies would you implement to provide people with disabilities with equitable access to upward economic opportunity?
I think we must look at ways to penalize companies with bad practices related to employees people with disabilities. We must also explore why we are restricting the earning potential of people with disabilities. I would fight for legislation to remove such barriers.
What changes to the current social safety net would you propose to implement a more all-encompassing framework that allows people with disabilities to receive needed services that are not currently covered by private or employer-based insurance, such as personal care and other uncovered assistance they may require, while not limiting the ability to pursue economic opportunity? If so, how?
I’m currently unsure on what changes that I would need to make.
How would you work to promote and incentivize equal opportunity for those with disabilities in employment?
Although I’m no proponent of corporate welfare, I would look into possibly tax incentives for small businesses that provide employment
How would you propose to address the barriers that unequitable access to transportation create to economic opportunity for those with disabilities?
We should be looking at ways to remove barriers instead of reasons to implement them. People with disabilities must be provided to same opportunities to economic equality as all other.
What policies will you propose to better protect the rights of parents with disabilities and to ensure they have needed supports?
The natural or legal rights of parents should not be restricted as long as there isn’t evidence of abuse or neglect present. I would fight to protect the rights or parents with disabilities.
Research shows that removing a child from their parents should only be used as a last resort. How might you work to ensure this standard is adhered to equally when parents with disabilities are involved and adaptation isn’t conflated with neglect or abuse?
The courts would have to show justified cause that meets the threshold to constitute abuse or neglect.
What policies would you propose to further address bias against parents with disabilities among child protection workers?
I would propose legislation that hold child protection workers and agencies liable for civil penalties, that uses the disabilities of parents for bias practices.
When support is needed to guarantee that individuals with disabilities can exercise their parental rights, how will your policies ensure such supports are easily accessible to the family?
I would look at current legislation (if any) to find ways amend it, that outlines the steps case mangers must take to make certain that individuals with disabilities can exercise their parental rights.
What policies do you propose to protect the reproductive rights of people with disabilities?
If there is any current policy that prevents people with disabilities, from reproductive rights I would lead the charge on repealing it.