ADAPT Supports Mississippi Action

ADAPT
1339 Lamar Sq Drive Suite 101
Austin, Texas 78704
FAX 512/442-0522 
Bob Kafka

June 3, 2004

Dear Mr. McClellan:

This is not an issue of federalism. This is an issue of people with disabilities and older Mississippians wanting to live and receive support services in the most integrated setting.

HHS/CMS did a press conference today where you spoke eloquently about people having the choice to live in the community.

The people in Mississippi need you to take action now to reverse the discriminatory actions that the Governor and the State Legislature have taken otherwise folks will be forced into nursing homes or other institutions.

Though you may not equate what is going on in Mississippi today to the struggle that racial minorities confronted in the 1950's and 60's but we in the disability community do.

"Our Homes NOT Nursing Homes and Other Institutions" is a chant that disabled activists scream at the top of their voices because no person should suffer the indignity of being forced into a institution because of the lack of community services. 

What does the language in the ADA: "programs and services provided in the most integrated setting" mean to you, Secretary Tommy Thompson, Medicaid Director Dennis Smith and OCR Director Robert Campanelli?

ADAPT again asks you to take action to assure that the civil rights of disabled and older Mississippians are not violated because of HHS/CMS and HHS/OCR's inaction.

NO MORE STOLEN LIVES!

For an Barrier and Institution Free America

The ADAPT Community

Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
(601)969-0601 (V/TTY) 1-800-721-7255
www.mscoalition.com

Dear Friends, 

The Coalition and the disability community need your help. We are at another terrible time for Mississippians with disabilities and the elderly.

"Mississippi has made the deepest cuts in Medicaid in history of United States" Leighton Ku, Capitol Center for Budget and Public Policy, Washington, D.C.

The Medicaid cuts to Poverty Level Aged and Disable (PLAD) are life treating. PLEASE call the Governor, Senators Little and Nunnelee. Tell them how this will affect you or a loved one. Call your Senator in your area and explain how these cuts are disastrous for most venerable in this state.

The Governor seems to think people on the PLADs program are lazy and just don't want to work. In a resent article in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, he was quoted as saying, "I am tired of hard working Mississippians working 2 and 3 jobs to pay taxes to provide health care for those that just don't want to work".

Individuals on the Medicaid PLAD program are: 65 years of age or those determined disabled and bring in less than $800.00 a month. Because of their persisting medical conditions, they can not get insurance and could not afford it if they could.

We only asked that our Legislators get the facts straight and listen to those that are on the Medicaid Plads program. Listen to how these cuts will affect them. In the long run, money will not be saved. Emergency rooms will be overrun, individuals will be admitted to nursing homes and institutions, costing the state millions and taking choice and independence totally out of the picture. The jails will be full of individuals who can't afford their medications that help them to function on a daily basis. But Mississippi can always find money for jails and prisons.

Please do your part - get involved - rise up like never before - remember -

In a blink of an eye - you too could become disabled - none of us are immune.

Together We Are Strong