State Policy Unjustly Institutionalizes Thousands

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2005
For More Information Contact:
Randy Alexander
(901) 359-4982

Governor Phil Bredesen and his Administration continue to hold over 6,400 Tennesseans against their will simply because they need supports to live in their community. This Administration knows, from their own data that 6,458 individuals in nursing homes, here in Tennessee, have expressed the desire to move out. However, this administration's policies continue to remove individuals with disabilities and people who are aging, out of their own homes and move them into a life of isolation, in a nursing home.

Money Follows the Person (S. 528) is a budget strategy that would free individuals from nursing homes. Money Follows the Person allows the individual living in the nursing home to move out and receive services where and how they choose. Money Follows the Person then allows the money Medicaid was paying for nursing home care to be used by the individual to pay for those services where they choose. Money Follows the Person works and does not require new money. Other states have committed themselves to Money Follows the Person, allowing thousands of people to move out of nursing homes and move into their own homes. In states like Texas, Kansas and others they have also realized Money Follows the Person saves the state money! 

Long term care in Tennessee is far behind all other states. Reports from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, (CMS) show that Tennessee spends $149 on nursing home services for every $1 spent on home and community based services. That’s far and beyond the next highest ratio of $34.60 for every $1 in North Dakota. Tennessee’s long-term care system must change. That change starts with Governor Bredesen and his Administration. 6,458 individuals want out of the nursing home. It is time for Governor Bredesen to change the system. 

Harry Calder, a nursing home resident in Memphis and others will be at Legislative Awareness Day March 15th to talk to Legislators about Money Follows the Person. Harry Calder wants to ask the Governor, “Why won’t you let me move out of the nursing home, by starting Money Follows the Person.”

Free Our People!

Randy Alexander
1633 Madison Avenue
Memphis TN 38104
(901) 726-6404