ADAPT Action News Bulletin
Sent from Governor Sundquist's Memphis Office
Date: May 12, 1998
Contact: Michael Auberger (901) 528-1800 M-4
Marsha Katz (901) 522-9700, Rm 312
Jennifer Burnett (412) 860-3715
ADAPT Occupies Tennessee Governor's Office
On May 11th, 103 ADAPT members from across the nation are
occupying the Tennessee State Office Building, demanding that Governor
Sundquist make changes in the current long term care system. They are
appealing to the Governor to improve the current Medicaid Waiver, and
support federal legislation called MiCASA, The Medicaid Attendant
Services
Act of 1997.
Tennessee is an example of why national attendant care
legislation
is necessary. "The fact that Tennessee is not taking advantage of the
Medicaid Waiver," states national ADAPT organizer Bob Kafka, "is exactly
why we need MiCASA." Currently states may apply to Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA) for Medicaid Waivers, allowing people with
disabilities and older people to get services in the community rather
than
costly and dehumanizing nursing homes or other institutions. Yesterday,
Tennessee received the Number One Worst State Award, because the state
has
done such a pitiful job of creating home and community -based services.
MiCASA was introduced by Newt Gingrich in June 1997, ands currently has
63
co-sponsors in the House. MiCASA would give people REAL Choice, by
allowing resources that now pay for a person to live in a nursing home or
other institution to be used where the individual chooses.
The protesters are planning to spend the night on the 12th floor
of the State Office Building, while 60 ADAPT members hold an all night
vigil outside the building. ADAPT began the protest at 11AM, arriving at
the State Office Building and taking the building entrances including two
underground garage exits . 200 ADAPTers rode the elevators to the 12th
floor, and have spent the day attempting to communicate with Governor
Sundquist. However, the Governor is refusing all dialogue with the
group.
He has also instructed the State Police, who have jurisdiction in
the building, not to allow food or medicine brought into the building.
"Governor Sundquist's refusal to allow us to have food and medicine is an
example of his abuse of power, states Kafka, "people in nursing homes
like
Willie Robinson of Memphis experience this abuse of power daily." ADAPT
is
asking the Governor to do the following: 1) Send a letter Newt Gingrich,
stating that Tennessee supports MiCASA. 2) Urge the National Governor's
Association (NGA) to put ADAPT on the agenda at their next national
conference. 3) Seek an amendment to the current Shelby County Medicaid
Waiver.
According to Memphis Mayor Herenton, what ADAPT is demanding is
reasonable, and he will be sending a message to Governor Sundquist
tomorrow to let him know. "While he has the power to do the right thing,
to expand home and community-based services for older people and people
with disabilities," explains Kafka, "He continues to spend Tennessee's
tax
dollars in costly institutions."
FOR MORE INFORMATION on American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today
(ADAPT)
Please visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/
For direct inquiries regarding this press release please use the contact
information at the beginning of this message or Email
adaptpr(AT)adapt.org
NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Gold List of Adapt Organizers
This is a private list and should not be disseminated to others without
express permission to do so.
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