ADAPT NASMD Action

I WOULD LIKE TO TRIBUTE OUR SUCCESSFUL ACTION TO ANITA CAMERON

11/15/2006

By Bobby Coward

On Tuesday November 14, 2006, Capitol Area ADAPT, Delaware ADAPT, Maryland ADAPT and Northern Virginia Disability Advocates (NOVADA) join forces to act at the Nation Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD) 2006 Annual Meeting held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel located in Crystal City Arlington Virginia.

A group of 25 ADAPT members emerged on NASMD meeting to achieve our objective to disturbed flyer addressing Money Follows the Person (MFP) and community involvement as well demand meeting with the NASMD. Our mission goal was completed with the highest level of success.

As the group entered the Gateway Marriott we began passing out flyers and speaking about the need for community based services for individuals with disabilities and how MFP implements that need. We passed out over 300 flyers as we sought to sit in on the workshops to gain the attention of Chairperson Nancy Atkin, Commissioner Bureau for Medical Services Department of Health & Human Resources and Martha Roherty, Director, NASMD. We entered the conference room and passed out flyers to everyone in the room while moving to position ourselves at the very front of the room.

When we reached the front, Matt Barkley started passing our flyers to the panel presenters while presentations were in progress. This act drew attention to ADAPT and one presenter tossed flyer back at Matt in outrage.

As the workshops drew to an end a strong supporter of National ADAPT, Gwen Atwater, formerly with NCIL and AAPD, informed ADAPT that Nancy Atkin had already left meeting. So ADAPT began the hunt for Martha Roherty. We found out there was a meeting agenda change and Martha Roherty wasn't moderating the scheduled workshop. ADAPT began stalking all conference rooms and staff inquiring about the location of Martha Roherty. The ADAPT action became a major concern to meeting participants and they felt disruptive to NASMD Annual meeting.

Word got out that ADAPT wouldn't stop the disruption until Martha Roherty met with us and suddenly Mrs. Martha Roherty appeared without warning. ADAPT made the request to meet with NASMD before end of 2006 and Ms Roherty agreed. ADAPT also asked to sit in on plenary session that former Secretary of HHS Tommy Thompson was the featured speaker.

As ADAPT began to move to the ballroom were the plenary session was to be held NASMD staff informed us that we couldn't go in because we didn't pay. ADAPT completely disregarded NASMD staff and entered ballroom as we stated to NASMD staff to call the police to stop us.

Once we were in ballroom, NASMD staff said it was okay for us to attend; but ADAPT would have to stay in the back of ballroom.

“We will sit up front near platform stage,” ADAPT responded, and that is where we sat.

ADAPT waited for Tommy Thompson and when he arrived he greeted ADAPT with a heartfelt welcome. He thanked National ADAPT for their voice and acknowledged the role ADAPT played in community base living and MFP. Finally, former Secretary Thompson encouraged NASMD to work with ADAPT and other community organizations. 

I WOULD LIKE TO TRIBUTE OUR SUCCESSFUL ACTION TO ANITA CAMERON

Anita is leaving Capitol Area ADAPT

Bobby Coward