Easter Seals Disability Services

Jessica Goes To Washington

North Texas client and 2009 National Adult Representative Jessica Segal along with an Easter Seals delegation paid a visit to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to talk about the benefits of health reform for children.

Office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and
Kristen Barnfield, Senior Director of Public Relations for Easter Seals Headquarters


Washington, D.C. -- On Tuesday, October 20, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Congressman Mark Schauer of Michigan held a press availability in the Capitol with representatives from Easter Seals to highlight the urgency of health insurance reform for children with pre-existing conditions.

Among the representatives were National Child Representative Shannon Saunders Eaton of Ohio and National Adult Representative Jessica Segal of Texas. They told their personal stories as a testament to why we must end insurance company discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions and disabilities. 

Jessica was introduced by Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-D). Congressman Hoyer talked of Jessica's upcoming wedding and the challenges couples face when it comes to health insurance when they legally get married, as is the case with Jessica and Luke, Jessica's fiance.

Jessica talked about her accident at 18 months of age. She has worked so hard every day since to be as independent as possible most recently graduating with a degree in design from the Dallas Institute of Art and now just a couple weeks from her wedding day.

Jessica also spoke on the challenge of turning 21. Most of her health needs were taken care of with the coverage she had as a child. But now, upon turning 21, everything has changed. She can’t get her own insurance coverage because of her pre-existing condition. Jessica told the group how her needs are the same as they were as a child she needs physical therapy, twice a week (that she receives at Easter Seals North Texas) to maintain her strength and movement. She needs to drink 4 cans of Ensure every day to maintain her weight. These are things that are no longer covered.

Finally, Jessica informed the audience on how she’s worked so hard to get where she is today and has high hopes for her future. She’s just concerned that health and insurance coverage issues could keep her from getting where she wants to go.


Speaker Pelosi's Opening and Closing Remarks

Speaker Pelosi Opening Remarks

“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to say what a privilege it is to welcome back to the Capitol our friends from Easter Seals.  They were here with us earlier in the year to fight for children’s health as they have been doing on and on and on. With their help, we had big bipartisan support for the state children’s health insurance legislation that the President signed into law.  Thank you to Jerry Mattimore, who is the Chairman, and to Jim Williams, who is the CEO.  I want to especially acknowledge Stephen Mullen, a volunteer from the San Francisco Bay Area who is with us this morning, as well as others from around the country.  

“It is really an opportunity for us to say thank you to the Easter Seals for what they do for our children, for the American people, what they have done ongoing.  And when they decide to come to Capitol Hill, they make a tremendous difference.  As I mentioned with SCHIP, and now helping with issues in our health bill that relate to people with pre-existing conditions.  The bill is coming.  It will be soon.  And we believe that the more the public knows about how people with disabilities or pre-existing conditions are affected by the bill, they will be happy indeed.  Every family in America is one phone call, one accident, one diagnosis away from needing what we have in our bill. 

“A champion on Capitol Hill for people with disabilities has been our Leader, Steny Hoyer, who was instrumental in passing so much legislation in that regard, and you heard him speak so beautifully when we unveiled the statue of Helen Keller. 

“First we turn to Mark Schauer, a new Member from the freshman class from Michigan.  He has made the issue of ending discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions his clarion call, along with fighting for our seniors and Medicare and the rest.  He has been a great champion for our kids.  I am also glad that he is with us today to help welcome Easter Seals back to the Capitol as we welcome Shannon and Jessica.  And we will be hearing from Jessica shortly. 

“Congressman Schauer.”   

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 Speaker Pelosi Closing Statement

“It is quite remarkable to listen to Shannon even though she did not make formal remarks, but she set the tone for the afternoon and her mom and to hear Jessica’s resolve.  They demonstrate so clearly that in our society we must respect people for what they can do, rather than judge them for what they cannot.  They demonstrate so clearly why — as we address the issue of ending discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions — that discrimination is price discrimination in terms of the cost of health care.  And we must honor the mission of the Easter Seals, which enables people to live, learn, work and play in our communities.

“What’s important to note about the legislation is that it is very important for everyone, but particularly for pre-existing conditions, is that there is a cap on what you pay in.  There is no cap on the benefit that you receive- either in a year or in a lifetime.  So this is a liberation.  This is a liberation.  Where people can live and plan and go forward with the confidence and they can do whatever they want to do and Jessica has demonstrated her resolve very clearly — hearing her story is such an inspiration. And we know that Shannon is going to do whatever she wants to do.

“But there are many reasons why it is important to pass this legislation.  We’re very proud in particular of what it means to people with pre-existing conditions and for people with disabilities.”