ADAPT takes over Charlotte Avenue in downtown Nashville.

Demands the Governor use Money Follows the Person to get Tennesseans out of expensive institutions.

Five ADAPT of Tennessee activists were arrested On Wednesday, March 16, when they blocked Charlotte Avenue, directly in front of the Tennessee State Capitol. Before the protesters took to the street, ADAPT of Tennessee held a press conference and rally to which Governor Bredesen had been invited. 

“We have tried to discuss Money follows the Person with Governor Bredesen and his Administration through different means,” said Randy Alexander, “by not discussing our issues with us and by not showing up today it is clear that Governor Bredesen is not concerned about saving the state money or the civil liberties of those in the nursing homes that want out.” 

Tennessee ADAPT made coordinated requests for the Governors presence via bullhorn from outside and via Deborah Cunningham inside the Governors office. When the Governor failed to show up, the group took to the street.

ADAPT of Tennessee blocked Charlotte Avenue and continued to address Governor Bredesen and question his policies over a bullhorn. Several people came out of the Capitol Building but not Governor Bredesen. 

“We want an Executive Order today,” commented Harry Calder, “To change how Tennessee spends Medicaid money. We want a Money Follows the Person system. That way I can move out of the nursing home.” 

Still Governor Bredesen did not appear. 

It wasn’t long before Nashville Metro Police showed up and demanded the street be immediately cleared. They quickly realized, however, that ADAPT wasn’t about to give the street back that easily. With Charlotte Avenue being directly in front of the Capitol, Metro Police were eager to clear the street. “Clear the street or be arrested,” was Metro Police’s next demand.

Tennessee ADAPT moved into the next part of the planned action. Those ADAPT activists that decided before hand to stay blocking the street, even if it meant arrest, stayed in place and those that had decided to be in support roles moved to the sidewalk. 

“As soon as we got to the sidewalk I started making phone calls,” said Christina, “I called Betty who was calling and faxing media outlets to give her the update about what was going on.”

Quickly it became clear to the police that the final five protesters were not leaving their posts. One final time the police asked the five, “Clear the street or be arrested.” 

One of the Memphis five said, “We’re doing what we have to do, so you do what you have to do,” and the arrests began. 

Police officers began cuffing and removing the protesters from the street. The activists using power wheelchairs, the Metro Police found, were the most difficult. They dragged one and attempted to use the controls to drive a second power wheelchair from the street.

Once the police had everyone cleared from the street they realized they were not equipped with accessible transportation. Without a way to take those who use wheelchairs to the station for the arrest, the police ended up giving everyone citations.

Money Follows the Person 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 shown that a Money Follows the Person system works. States that have committed themselves to a Money Follows the Person system, have not only moved thousands of people out of nursing homes and into their own homes, they have also shown significant cost saving by doing so. That is why ADAPT of Tennessee is calling on Governor Bredesen to enact Money Follows the Person, NOW. 

Free Our People!