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(MEMPHIS, June 14) Members of the grassroots civil rights group American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) are traveling to Washington D.C. to ensure that the 105th Congress will hear legislation to give Americans choice in long-term care. The group intends to meet with about 300 other ADAPT members from around the U.S. to protest the time- lag in introducing the Community Attendant Services Act (CASA). Newt Gingrich promised to introduce the Bill this past January, however, the proposal is being discussed around Washington D.C. and has not made it to the House floor yet.
CASA will provide Americans with the option to live in their own home. Often people with disabilities are forced to live in nursing homes, and Tennessee ranks last, among the 50 states, in long- term community- and home-based care. ADAPT is asking for NO new funds, simply that 25% of the money going to nursing homes be redirected to give Americans a choice.
The bill should find acceptance in the majority Republican House because CASA will take money from the Medicaid subsidy that underwrites 63% of the nursing home industry. The Nursing Home Lobby, American Health Care Association Political Action Committee (AHCA-PAC), aggressively defends their huge government subsidy. The Federal Election Commission reports AHCA as one of the 50 PACs with the largest increase in funds from 1994 to 1996.
CASA will equip people with disabilities with what they need. Mark O'Brien, poet, author, and subject of Jessica Yu's Oscar winning documentary "Breathing Lessons," is such an example. Living in his own apartment, Mark O'Brien is not stagnated by institutional control. Although he requires a personal assistant 24 hours a day, it would cost the state over twice as much to provide his care in a nursing home.
Deborah Cunningham, of Memphis ADAPT, was arrested in the U.S. Capitol four years ago in a peaceful, non-violent demonstration. ADAPT members took sleeping bags to the majority Democratic House, in 1993, with the message that ADAPT would out wait Congress. Deborah and 7 others from Memphis ADAPT will be going back to Washington from June 14 to 19 to reinforce that message. The action is scheduled to continue until June 26.
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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