MCIL News Release Archive
				National ADAPT
				M C I L
				Tennessee ADAPT
				Not Dead Yet!
				B F M S

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 1998

ADAPT Demands

Over 600 ADAPT members from across the nation are occupying the Governor's Memphis State Office Building. They have been in the Governor's Memphis office since 11AM, and the Governor has refused to negotiate with them. Two hours into the protest, the Governor closed the State Office Building , sending state workers home. At 3PM Pat Scroggs, the Governor's Official Regional Representative spoke to protesters in her office, leaving abruptly when protesters refused to leave her office. She refused to look at the demands.

ADAPT is demanding that the Governor seek an amendment to the current Tennessee Medicaid Waiver which, in Shelby County is 12 years out of date. The State could do this by simply submitting a letter to Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Specifically, ADAPT wants the following changes to be addressed in the amendment:

1. The current Medicaid Waiver requires the individual to be "home-bound" which means they may only leave their home 5 times a month. ADAPT wants the home-bound requirement removed.

2. The current waiver requires the person to need 24 hour care. There are many people, locked away in institutions in Tennessee today, who can live in the community with far fewer hours. ADAPT wants people to have flexible service.

3. The current waiver exists in only 4 of Tennessee's 95 counties. If a person wants to take advantage of the waiver they must move to Memphis, Knoxville, Nashville, or Chattanooga to get services. ADAPT wants the waiver to be statewide.

ADAPT held a press conference outside the State Office Building at 8PM while 200 members continue to hold the 12th floor governor's office. The Governor continues to refuse to speak to ADAPT, and is not allowing food, water, or medications into the building. ADAPT will continue it's occupation until the Governor communicates his agreement with their demands. Memphis Mayor Herreton stated his support of the demands and has communicated this with the Governor.

Contact:
Michael Auberger

• (901) 528-1800, Room M-4

Jennifer Burnett

• phone: (901) 522-9700, Room 611

News Release Page A listing of recent ADAPT News Releases

The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org 

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