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 Occupies Tennessee Governor's Office

Tennessee is an example of why national attendant care legislation is necessary. "The fact that Tennessee is not taking advantage of the Medicaid Waiver," states national ADAPT organizer Bob Kafka, "is exactly why we need MiCASA." Currently states may apply to Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) for Medicaid Waivers, allowing people with disabilities and older people to get services in the community rather than costly and dehumanizing nursing homes or other institutions. Yesterday, Tennessee received the Number One Worst State Award, because the state has done such a pitiful job of creating home and community -based services. MiCASA was introduced by Newt Gingrich in June 1997, ands currently has 63 co-sponsors in the House. MiCASA would give people REAL Choice, by allowing resources that now pay for a person to live in a nursing home or other institution to be used where the individual chooses.

The protesters are planning to spend the night on the 12th floor of the State Office Building, while 60 ADAPT members hold an all night vigil outside the building. ADAPT began the protest at 11AM, arriving at the State Office Building and taking the building entrances including two underground garage exits . 200 ADAPTers rode the elevators to the 12th floor, and have spent the day attempting to communicate with Governor Sundquist. However, the Governor is refusing all dialogue with the group.

He has also instructed the State Police, who have jurisdiction in the building, not to allow food or medicine brought into the building. "Governor Sundquist's refusal to allow us to have food and medicine is an example of his abuse of power, states Kafka, "people in nursing homes like Willie Robinson of Memphis experience this abuse of power daily." ADAPT is asking the Governor to do the following:

1. Send a letter Newt Gingrich, stating that Tennessee supports MiCASA.

2. Urge the National Governor's Association (NGA) to put ADAPT on the agenda at their next national conference.

3. Seek an amendment to the current Shelby County Medicaid Waiver.

According to Memphis Mayor Herenton, what ADAPT is demanding is reasonable, and he will be sending a message to Governor Sundquist tomorrow to let him know. "While he has the power to do the right thing, to expand home and community-based services for older people and people with disabilities," explains Kafka, "He continues to spend Tennessee's tax dollars in costly institutions."

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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