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Contact:
Mike Auberger : (303) 733-9324
Deborah Cunningham (901) 726-6404
Melvin Douglas is giving up on Tennessee, his home for forty years, because this state will only pay institutions for the most expensive and least desired form of long-term care. Mr. Douglas will move to Denver Colorado on Monday, May 8, where he can live independently for a quarter of what Tennessee spends to keep him in the Overton Park Nursing Home. Robert Osborn left Tennessee last December to avoid being placed in a Tennessee Nursing Home, and is living independently in Colorado Springs.
This week marks the kick off for national legislation, S. 1935, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act (MiCASSA) that would help Mr. Douglas live in his own home in Tennessee. This legislation will level the Medicaid long-term care playing field and end the funding bias toward nursing homes and other institutions. The bill will give Americans real choice and allow the money intended for long-term care to follow the eligible individual rather than be funneled to the nursing home industry.
Over 95% of public funds for the long-term care of Tennesseans are paid to facilities and Tennessee ranks last of the U.S. states in providing less-expensive home and community alternatives.
As part of a national Campaign for Real Choice in long term care, a coalition of MiCASSA Supporters will hold a press event Wednesday May 3rd, as part of a national network of events in over 30 locations, including the nation's Capitol. In Washington DC the Kick Off Event is scheduled for 12 Noon (Eastern) Room 188 Russell Senate Office Building
"This Campaign for Real Choice 2000 event will show Congress and the Presidential candidates the community's overwhelming desire for fundamental reform of the Medicaid long term care system." said event organizer Mike Auberger. "Over four hundred and ninety organizations from across the nation have officially endorsed MiCASSA." The event will include a telephone address by the co-sponsors of S. 1935, Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania). A press conference will follow the address.
Local supporters of MiCASSA will have a good-bye dinner for Melvin and a fundraiser for MiCASSA this Sunday May 7th at P&H Café. Steve Lockwood will provide entertainment and a five dollar donation will get a generous serving of pasta, salad and bread. The fundraiser is to help send ADAPT members to the June 18, 2000 rally for MiCASSA in Washington D.C.
Dates of events:
May 3 - National Kick off of MiCASSA
May 7 - ADAPT fundraiser at the P&H Café, 1532 Madison, 5 - 9 p.m.
May 8 - Mr. Douglas leaves Tennessee to live independently in Colorado 1 p.m. Memphis International Airport
ADAPT of Tennessee's "On-Line" press package
Recent news articles on long-term care in Tennessee, ADAPT, and nursing homes.
A summary of MiCASSA (S. 1935)
ADAPT of Texas: (512) 442-0252
adapt@adapt.org
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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