ADAPT sends Gov. Sundquist a Valentine 

"Lock off the elevators," ordered Jerry Cantrell the person in charge of security at the Donnelly J. Hill State Office Building, "no one gets in the building."

ADAPT takes over the lobby of the state office building

Tennessee ADAPT delivered a simple message to Governor Don Sundquist today demanding that the governor implement Olmstead, support the Medicaid reform bill MiCASSA and meet with ADAPT. Blaire Parchman, the Governor's Regional Representative, eventually met with the entire group and accepted the demands.

ADAPT spread out around the front door of the state office building while an ADAPT delegation asked security workers to allow them to personally deliver the demands to the Governors regional representatives. The delegation was told that the office was empty. Security personnel relayed the message that "All the governors staff had gone to lunch and would not be back until 2." 

Tennessee ADAPT enjoyed lunch in the state building plaza, but at 2 pm the delegation was told that there were no staff in the office. The security guard ended negotiations telling the delegation: "You have to leave." Sher Stewart asked why to which the guard responded: "Because I said so."

Suzanne Colsey beside the 9 foot pink heart for the governor

"The action was great," said Suzanne Colsey, "but, I think [Blair Parchmen] was there all the time."

Ms. Parchmen later confirmed that Gov. Sundquist did get the message and he was considering it.

The Money is there for long-term care

Memphis Mayor Willie Herrenton shows support for the ADAPT demonstrators: "I am with you."

Tennessee spends over 95% of public funds for the long-term care of Tennesseans on institutions and nursing homes although people overwhelmingly would prefer to live in their own homes. Institutions are the most expensive and least desirable way to deliver long-term care services.

ADAPT demands choice

Without services in the community, people with disabilities are dependent on caring friends and family if they do not want to live in a nursing home. Our social bias to only provide services in institutions prevents people with disabilities from seeking employment options and empowers the subsidized monopoly of the nursing home industry dependent on public long-term care funds.

Integration is the law

The US Supreme Court 1999 Olmstead decision: "The Court rules that when a professional determines that a disabled individual can live in the community -- and can be served there effectively," said Donna Shalala the former Secretary of Health & Human Services, "the person must be given the choice of doing so. If I were disabled I would want this choice -- and so would you." 

Did you know?

• The Tennessee nursing home lobby is the fourth largest in the state?
• More than 30,000 Tennesseans live in institutions?
• Tennessee spends as much on long-term care as Ohio, even though we have half the population?
• Nursing homes are the most expensive and least desirable form of long-term care and yet Tennessee spends more than 95% of our long-term care funds on these facilities?
• In 1996 the former Comptroller of the Treasury of Tennessee William Snodgrass said our state is facing a crisis in long-term care?

ADAPT is asking our governor to:

Chris Colsey and Deborah Cunningham discuss ADAPT's demands with the Governor's Regional Representative

1. Implement Olmstead the integration mandate of the ADA
2. Support MiCASSA National Legislation to expand choice
3. Meet with ADAPT, at the National Governors meeting.

- Tim Wheat