tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70152785456032405912024-03-05T19:49:38.521-08:00Free Our People Y'allMid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-3381380304662096242017-06-29T08:11:00.003-07:002017-06-29T08:11:34.226-07:00Rally to Protect Healthcare.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Memphis, June 28, 2017) Mid-South ADAPT and The Memphis Center for Independent Living, along with Copper Coalition, CBTU, Indivisible Memphis, and other groups held a resist rally and press conference on Wednesday morning at 10:AM near Madison Avenue and McLean. Mid-South ADAPT came to voice our concerns to Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker about proposed cuts to Medicaid in the (BCRA) that will negatively impact long term supports and services that make it possible for people with disabilities in Tennessee to live in the community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Senators said they wished to repeal Obamacare, but they have created legislation to cut Medicaid instead. The large cuts in federal funding for Tennessee’s Medicaid program, known as TennCare, would put health coverage at risk for many Tennesseans. The cut in federal funding hurts Tennessee more than other US states. Because Tennessee did not expand Medicaid under the ACA, there is less federal funding and that funding will be capped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TennCare enables low-income seniors, children, and people with disabilities to get needed health care, work and live in the community. It helps parents and other adults stay healthy, keep employment, and avoid medical debt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tennessee is one of 44 states participating in Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person program, which helps TennCare beneficiaries safely and successfully transition from expensive nursing facilities to their own homes. Tennessee’s program has helped more than 600 people transition to the community, and has produced significant state savings by reducing unnecessary expensive nursing home stays in the state. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cuts to Medicaid also will not reduce the tax burden on Tennesseans. While other states have built an insurance market for low-income working adults, Tennessee state, county and local taxpayers will have to shoulder the cost of uncompensated care. Healthcare is the best investment in the US worker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The message of the rally is clear: Get involved. Do not give in because our lives and liberty depend on it. If you would like more information on how you can join the resistance and Save Our Medicaid contact Allison Donald and Tim Wheat of Mid-South ADAPT 901-726-6404 or </span><a href="http://www.midsouthadapt.org/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">www.midsouthadapt.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Healthcare is a Human Right!” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#SaveOurMedicaid<br />#ADAPTandResist</span><br />
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Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-76213678301814751402017-06-22T08:53:00.000-07:002017-06-22T09:07:45.883-07:00ADAPT Die-in at McConnell's Office<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>6/22/17</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRESS ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>WHO:</strong> ADAPT
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>WHAT:</strong> ADAPT is staging a Die-in at Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell’s office
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>WHERE:</strong> 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>WHEN:</strong> Thursday, June 22, 2017
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Disability Advocates Protest Senate Leader Over Cuts to Medicaid for Millions of
Elderly and Disabled Americans
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(June 22, 2017, Washington D.C.) Today, about 60 members of the national disability rights
organization ADAPT are staging a Die-in at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office.
Advocates are protesting McConnell’s Senate healthcare bill, demanding he bring an end to attacks
on disabled people’s freedom which are expected in the bill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“The American Health Care Act caps and
significantly cuts Medicaid which will greatly reduce access to medical care and home and community
based services for elderly and disabled Americans who will either die or be forced into institutions,”
said Bruce Darling, an ADAPT organizer taking part in the protest. “Our lives and liberty shouldn’t be
stolen to give a tax break to the wealthy. That’s truly un-American.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
“Not only will AHCA take away our freedom,” said Dawn Russell, an ADAPT organizer from Colorado.
“That lost freedom will also cost Americans much more money. The nursing facilities that people will
be forced into are much more expensive than community-based services that AHCA would cut.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In
2012, the National Council on Disability (an independent federal agency that makes policy
recommendations to the President, Congress and federal agencies) reported that States spent
upwards of $300,000 more per person serving disabled people in institutions each year than they
would spend providing equivalent services in the community.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The protest falls on the 18th anniversary of <em>Olmstead v. LC</em> the 1999 Supreme Court Ruling which
first recognized disabled people’s right to live in the community. ADAPT organizer Nancy Salandra of
Pennsylvania was quick to note the connection between that case and the AHCA. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We fought so hard
to have our right live in the community recognized and here we are 18 years later and we are still
fighting for our freedom from incarceration.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As they dramatize the deaths AHCA’s cuts and forced institutionalization will cause, and as Capitol
Police close in, the advocates who came to McConnell’s office from across the country chanted “I’d
rather go to jail than die without Medicaid!”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“To say people will die under this law is not an exaggeration,” said Mike Oxford, an ADAPT organizer
from Kansas. “Home and community based services are what allow us to do our jobs, live our lives
and raise our families. Without these services many disabled and elderly Americans will die. We
won’t let that happen.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the 15th anniversary of the death of Justin Dart, the father of the ADA, his words ring true “get into
politics as if your life depends upon it, cause it does.”
ADAPT’s history, the issues we are fighting for and our activities can be followed on our web site at
www.adapt.org, our ADAPT Facebook page and on Twitter – look for #ADAPTandRESIST
</span><br />
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Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-24711756228070683802017-05-04T12:27:00.004-07:002017-05-04T12:30:35.130-07:00ADAPT on the AHCA<h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">ADAPT Statement in Response to Passage of the American Health Care Act in the US House of Representatives</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><em>May 4, 2017</em><br />
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The ADAPT Community is gravely concerned by the House of Representatives’ ill-considered passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The legislation, which received significant amendments only days before the vote, has serious problems which House Republicans – in their haste to pass<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>something</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and declare victory – have refused to address.</div>
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This legislation – if it were to pass the Senate and become law – will have a truly devastating impact on seniors and people with disabilities. It will:</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Destroy the insurance protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions that allow them to receive necessary healthcare services;</div>
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Undercut access to vital Medicaid healthcare as well as long-term services and supports (LTSS) needed by older and disabled Americans; and </div>
</li>
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Eliminate the incentive to provide community-based services to disabled Americans established in the Community First Choice Option.</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<u>Eliminating Protections for People with Pre-existing Conditions</u></div>
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Although recent changes to the legislation secured the support of moderate Republicans, those changes do little, if anything, to mitigate the dangerous impact of this legislation, particularly on people with pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies will be able to charge exorbitant premiums to disabled and elderly individuals leaving these individuals without healthcare.</div>
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<u>Cutting Medicaid Funding Needed to Support Elderly and Disabled Americans</u></div>
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As written, the legislation will cut more than $830 billion from the Medicaid program, forcing states to choose between raising state taxes and cutting healthcare services for poor children, the disabled and seniors. These cuts couldn’t come at a worse time. As our population continues to age, more and more people will rely on Medicaid to cover vital long-term services and supports, further straining state resources. States will reduce Medicaid benefits, impose waiting lists, implement unaffordable financial obligations, or otherwise restrict access to needed assistance. Without adequate support in the community, families will be forced to place their loved ones in nursing facilities and other institutions, only increasing the strain on already-limited Medicaid resources.</div>
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<u>Eliminating Federal Incentives Designed to Promote Community Integration</u></div>
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For elderly and disabled Americans who rely on it, Medicaid is not just a health insurance program: it literally supports their lives and their liberty. Outside of the Disability Community, there has been virtually no public discussion about how the AHCA eliminates the enhanced Federal funding associated with the Community First Choice Option (CFCO). CFCO was the result of nearly a quarter century of work by ADAPT and other disability rights advocates. This Medicaid option provides additional funding to states that provide LTSS in the community to people who would otherwise be placed in a nursing facility or institution. </div>
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<strong>CALL TO ACTION</strong></div>
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We do not believe that American voters intended this Congress and President to cut vital services for economically disadvantaged, elderly and disabled Americans to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest of our nation. Indeed, President Trump campaigned on a promise that there would be no cuts to Medicaid. Now, more than ever, it is critical that disabled and elderly individuals, their families, and their advocates understand the dangerous implications of this legislation and become politically active. Although AHCA has passed the House, it still must pass the US Senate before it can be signed into law. We must educate our communities about the dangerous implications of this bill and urge our Senators to vote against the bill. </div>
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<em>ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.</em></div>
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Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-73755482590086475642017-04-27T14:02:00.003-07:002017-04-27T14:08:45.374-07:00The Community First Choice Option<br />
<h3 align="right" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Funding Tennessee’s Community Living Services<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">The Community First Choice (CFC) Option [part of the
Affordable Care Act] will revolutionize the long term services and supports
(LTSS) system for Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Federal
funding is available now and the final rules are published so Tennessee should
immediately move forward with the creation of the Development and Implementation
Council.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">CFC would allow Tennessee to draw down an additional federal
funds that could be up to $60 million annually in Medicaid resources to sustain
the shifts in the long term services and supports system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">OVERVIEW<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">The Community First Choice Option is a community-based
Medicaid state plan service which includes hands on assistance, safety
monitoring, and cueing for assistance with activities of daily living,
instrumental activities of daily living and health related functions for
individuals based on functional need, not diagnosis or age.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">THE BASICS<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">The Affordable Care Act, Section 2401, added 1915(k) to the
Social Security Act under Medicaid. Final rules available at 42 CFR 441 Part K
or in the Federal Register at Vol. 77, No. 88 (77 FR 26828).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Supports choice, independence, and integration
in accordance with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Olmstead</i>
decision<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Person-centered and consumer-directed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Services must be provided in a home and
community-based setting and CANNOT be provided in a nursing facility,
institution for mental diseases (IMD), or intermediate care facility for people
with development disabilities (ICF-MR)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Must be provided on a statewide basis<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Eliminates HCBS waiting lists<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">States that implement CFC will receive an
additional 6% in federal matching funds, with no sunset<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">States that are pursuing CFC (to date): AR, CA,
CO, LA, MD, MN, NY, RI, WA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">ELIGIBILITY<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Must be Medicaid eligible<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Must require an institutional level of care (hospital,
nursing facility, ICF-MR, or IMD)</span></span></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">REQUIRED SERVICES<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">States must provide the following services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Attendant services and supports to assist in
accomplishing: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of
daily living (IADL), and health-related tasks<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Attendant services and supports include:
hands-on assistance, safety monitoring, and cueing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Assistance with the learning skills necessary to
accomplish ADL, IADL, and health-related tasks<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Allows for the purchase of back-up systems (such
as beepers or other electronic devices) to ensure continuity of services and
supports.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">The State must develop and offer a voluntary
training to individuals on how to select, manage and dismiss attendants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">PERMISSIBLE SERVICES and SUPPORTS<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">States can choose to provide the following services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Transition costs, such as security deposits for
rent or utilities, purchasing basic kitchen supplies, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Services that increase independence or
substitute for human assistance, such as assistance with learning how to use
public transportation, for example.</span></span></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">EXCLUDED SERVICES<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">CFC funding cannot be used to pay for the following services
because either the service cannot be paid for by Medicaid or the service is
available through alternative mechanisms, such as HCBS waivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, similar services may be permissible
under the context of “Expenditures relating to a need identified in an
individual’s person-centered service plan that increases an individual’s
independence or substitutes for human assistance.”</span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Room and board<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Special education and related services provided
under IDEA and vocational rehab<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Assistive technologies (other than those used as
back-up systems)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Medical supplies and equipment<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Home modifications<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">MODELS FOR SERVICE DELIVERY<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">States can select one or more model for the delivery of CFC.
Ideally, states will provide consumers with a robust system in order to increase
choice. Services must be provided under a person-centered plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Agency Provider
Model”</b> includes a range of approaches, with the individual having the
ability to select, train, and dismiss their attendant, including:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Traditional agency</b>
managed services<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Agency-with-Choice
model</b> where the agency operates solely as a fiscal intermediary<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Self-Directed Model
with service budget”</b> including:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Vouchers<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Direct Cash Payments <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Fiscal Agent<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">CONSUMER RIGHTS<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Emphasis on a person directed plan and planning process,
which includes individuals chosen by the consumer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Consumers can select family members (except spouse or legal
guardian) or any other individuals to provide services and supports<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Consumers can train workers in specific areas of
care needed by the individual and to perform the needed assistance in a manner
that is consistent with the individual’s personal, cultural, and religious
preferences<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Consumers can establish additional staff
qualifications based on their specific needs and preferences<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3e762a;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">SO, WHAT WILL CFC LOOK LIKE IN TENNESSEE?<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Many decisions still have to be made. CFC sets the framework
for a fully integrated, non-diagnosis-specific, community-based service system
that provides individuals the civil right to live independently in the community
and out of an institution. CFC is structured to allow states to work within
their unique Medicaid system of state plan services, waivers, and managed care
services. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">The decisions for structure, implementation, and monitoring
are the responsibility of the State’s CFC Development and Implementation
Council, which must be comprised of mostly people disabilities, seniors, and
their representatives – as required by CFC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: large;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">It is imperative that Tennessee establish its Development
and Implementation Council NOW! Every day delayed is money left on the table,
and people’s rights ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-43013325680554347432017-04-18T12:12:00.003-07:002017-04-18T12:12:59.075-07:00Mid-South ADAPT confronts Corker<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5782a5d5-8260-6e4d-5c2f-c333c755ae6a" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Local ADAPT Chapter asks for support for Disability Rights</strong></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEIhzR_W5NSIWbLp-FjM1aqKVmzzyy6rVMnxy41dTwk_m4HTQlU0-gfiigBNLdKlpy2NI9ljmT-5QIdg35T03M6BB1G1wQfxxYWT8zuwi2PBawmsgh35ImFjKqEYM1bj8625pFYTqK0Q/s1600/corker1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sen Bob Corker" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEIhzR_W5NSIWbLp-FjM1aqKVmzzyy6rVMnxy41dTwk_m4HTQlU0-gfiigBNLdKlpy2NI9ljmT-5QIdg35T03M6BB1G1wQfxxYWT8zuwi2PBawmsgh35ImFjKqEYM1bj8625pFYTqK0Q/s320/corker1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today Mid-South ADAPT confronted Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker asking him to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act (S. 910). Standing on a chair in the Crave Coffee Shop in Arlington Tennessee, a Mid-South ADAPT member caught the Senator at a rare public meeting and requested the Senator support people with disabilities civil right to live in the community.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Elderly Americans and people with disabilities demand choice in long-term care,” said the activist standing above the crowd on a chair. “Tennessee more than most states needs the Disability Integration Act to avoid expensive institutions and nursing homes.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Corker spoke briefly at the coffee shop outside of Memphis and answered some questions from the crowd that packed the small venue. The Senator stopped promptly at 9:AM. Mid-South ADAPT handed Disability Integration Act information to Senator Corker and he said that he would look at the information.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Disability Integration Act (DIA) is civil rights legislation, introduced by Senator Schumer to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions and losing their basic civil rights. The legislation (S. 910) builds on the 25 years of work that ADAPT has done to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities home and community-based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization. It is the next step in our national advocacy after securing the Community First Choice (CFC) option.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The legislation, when enacted, establishes new federal law - similar in structure to the ADA - that requires states and insurance providers that pay for LTSS to change their policies, provide community-based services first, and offer HCBS to people currently in institutions. DIA operates alongside CFC, but these two laws work very differently. CFC is an option which states can choose. Even though CFC provides money for states to support independent living, many states have not chosen CFC. DIA requires states and insurance providers that pay for LTSS to make real and meaningful changes that support the right of people with disabilities to live in freedom like every other American.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The proposed legislation establishes new federal law - structured like the ADA - that says “No public entity or LTSS insurance provider shall deny an individual with an LTSS disability who is eligible for institutional placement, or otherwise discriminate against that individual in the provision of, community-based long-term services and supports that enable the individual to live in the community and lead an independent life.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__uJVB8uI2iYeD09-SBIj7yWgU44wgrfev2nDPRzDGt-5eSzRPDm0gl0bxooa9y8qH8tr6L-C3pLaIUDYuVii_r_IUuYEDvj92WJ-k1om4m4KXjwEVPBSWkP9UnsKVwK77d1lg7sD6UI/s1600/kustoff1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Congressman Kustoff meets Joann" border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__uJVB8uI2iYeD09-SBIj7yWgU44wgrfev2nDPRzDGt-5eSzRPDm0gl0bxooa9y8qH8tr6L-C3pLaIUDYuVii_r_IUuYEDvj92WJ-k1om4m4KXjwEVPBSWkP9UnsKVwK77d1lg7sD6UI/s320/kustoff1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DIA makes it illegal for a state and insurance providers that pay for LTSS to fail to provide HCBS by using waiting lists, screening people out, capping services, paying workers too little for services, or the other excuses that have been used to keep people with disabilities from living in freedom. DIA requires each state to offer community-based services and supports to any individual who is eligible to go into an institution. It also requires states to take active steps to make sure that there is enough affordable, accessible, integrated housing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The legislation requires states and LTSS insurance providers to complete a self-evaluation to evaluate current services, policies, and practices that do not or may not meet the requirements of the Act and to make the necessary changes in services, policies, and practices required to comply with the law. Additionally, public entities are required to develop a transition plan using an extensive public participation process. Public entities that fail to comply with the law may face legal action for the Attorney General or may be sued directly. People who have been discriminated against may receive damages under the law.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xQEEHSs7U1dQVuvuaGrrpFK6ChTdywYWqakdtsPJazdB-cCuiX8yN02PCh4xDNm_CD8BQTkSOUI3EGvmanPwEppWsFGAOftbl5ctcTAennDmWFKLO0GRL5UEjPv7lXJa6pzVMXZYFNM/s1600/corker2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crowd at the Corker townhall" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xQEEHSs7U1dQVuvuaGrrpFK6ChTdywYWqakdtsPJazdB-cCuiX8yN02PCh4xDNm_CD8BQTkSOUI3EGvmanPwEppWsFGAOftbl5ctcTAennDmWFKLO0GRL5UEjPv7lXJa6pzVMXZYFNM/s640/corker2.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-69082142771550760742017-03-21T12:53:00.004-07:002017-03-21T12:54:16.366-07:00Press Release: ADAPT asks Sen Alexander to preserve our right to live in the community.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For Immediate Release <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For more
information</span></span></i><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">:<br />
Allison Donald (901) 283-1412 (cell)<br />
Tim Wheat (303) 887-9406 (cell)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>People with disabilities ask Sen.
Alexander to </strong><strong>preserve disability rights aspects of the health care law.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(Memphis,
March 22)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mid-South ADAPT is calling on
Senator Lamar Alexander to preserve critical components of the Affordable Care
Act which secures the rights of people with disabilities to live in the
community and provide vital healthcare services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ADAPT demands equality for people with
disabilities and is visiting Sen. Alexander’s Memphis office to share personal
narratives of the critical importance of inclusion of people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“The
American Health Care Act (AHCA) threatens to take back all of the victories
disability advocates have fought for the past thirty years or more,” said
Allison Donald Organizer for Mid- South ADAPT. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We are here today to let Senator Alexander
know we want him to keep the preexisting conditions provision prohibiting
discrimination by insurance companies, say yes to CFCO, say yes to money
follows the person, and say yes to accessibility standards for diagnostic medical
equipment. We want him to say no to Medicaid block grants, because our lives
depend on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healthcare is a Human
Right!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Congressional
Republicans are moving forward with legislation that eliminates the Community
First Choice Option (CFCO) for Tennessee by 2020 as part of a strategy to cut
Medicaid funding for disabled individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CFCO, which was introduced as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is
the only current Medicaid program aimed at ensuring disabled people’s rights to
live in the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By providing
enhanced federal funds to states that have adopted the program, CFCO gives
Medicaid beneficiaries greater access to home and community services enabling
them to live in their communities rather than expensive nursing facilities or
institutional settings that rob them of their civil right and fundamental
liberties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tennessee could save millions
with CFCO, we are asking Alexander to keep this option available for our state
even if he chooses to repeal the ACA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
the states that have implemented it, CFCO has become a vital tool in moving
disabled people out of nursing facilities and other institutions and into their
own homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members of the Disability
community have expressed concerns that the GOP is using CFCO and block grants
to play partisan politics without consideration for the many people with
disabilities whose live are hanging in the balance and the potential benefits
to states that could use the federal funds to move people out of expensive
facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“[People
with Disabilities] should be able to do things on their own instead of having
to depend on anyone to do things for them,” said Davina Williams of Mid-South
ADAPT. “They should be able to do what they want to do for themselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
concern in capping or block granting Medicaid congressional Republicans are
setting limits on how many disabled people can transition from institutions
into the community, and eliminating CFCO restores the Medicaid bias toward
institutionalization that the disability community has long fought for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">WHEN:</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 22, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">WHERE:</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> Sen. Lamar Alexander’s Memphis Office <br />
125 North Main Street, Memphis Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">-- 30 --<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-10602716835404785672017-02-22T13:17:00.000-08:002017-02-22T13:17:10.373-08:00
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Outraged Disability Rights Leaders Send a Message
to their Governors and the National Governors Association about ACA
Repeal/Replace/Repair<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">For Immediate Release:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Allison Donald</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Mid-South ADAPT</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">901-726-6404</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><a href="mailto:Allison@mcil.org"><span style="color: blue;">Allison@mcil.org</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /><a href="http://www.midsouthadapt.org/"><span style="color: blue;">www.midsouthADAPT.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">(February 22, 2017 Memphis) – Disability rights
leaders in Tennessee are sending a “loud and clear” message to Governor Haslam
to take with him to the National Governors Association when it meets in DC later
this week, February 24 – 27:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">61 million Americans with disabilities are at
risk of losing health care coverage, benefits and their right to live in the
community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Disability leaders are asking their Governors to
put people first, over partisan politics. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Several Republican Governors, including Governors Kasich (OH) and
Snyder (MI), have been very outspoken against the Medicaid cuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In similar statements across America,
disability leaders are united in their demands:</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">We oppose the GOP repeal and replace proposal
because:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Medicaid block grants and per capita caps </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">are nothing more than an
attempt by the federal government to cut support to states for Medicaid.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Over the next 10 years</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> Federal support
is projected to be cut by $1 trillion; states and/or counties will have to come
up with the replacement revenue or make major cuts. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Cuts will be made</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> to prescription
drugs, physical, occupational and speech therapies, Personal Care, HCBS waivers
and state plan amendments, Community First Choice <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Health Homes, etc. These so called “optional”
services often mean the difference between “life and death” for many people
with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Under block grants</b>, states
would receive a fixed amount of money each year for the program regardless of
actual needs or costs. Per capita caps provides a fixed amount of funding per
Medicaid beneficiary with states liable for all medical and LTSS costs beyond
the caps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">- Neither Block Grants
nor per capita caps </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">can or will control health care and LTSS costs.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Enhanced</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> Medicaid expansion matching funds in 31 states
and DC would be reduced, another loss of revenue to states, further squeezing
state budgets, and resulting in a resurgence of uncompensated care to emergency
rooms and hospitals, reduction in treatment for people addicted to opioids, and
millions of people losing access to health care they only recently received.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Reduction</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> in federal revenue to the states will result in
enrollment caps, increase in waiting lists, and human pain and suffering. 10
million people are covered by Medicaid expansion, and about 20% of those are
people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Decrease</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> in federal revenue will result in a major loss
of jobs in health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) in every
state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Eight states</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> with Community First Choice
(CFC) will lose their 6% enhanced Medicaid match: CA, CO, MD, MT, NY, OR, TX,
and WV.<span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- Of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">73
million Americans covered by Medicaid</b>, 15 million (21%) are children and
adults with disabilities and senior citizens. People with disabilities <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>account for 48% of total Medicaid dollars due
to higher acute care costs and costs of LTSS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids and </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">moms receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) benefits are
generally healthy, and so are quite inexpensive to Medicaid. Therefore, capping
Medicaid will result in potential draconian cuts in services to </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">people with disabilities</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and senior citizens.<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">People
with disabilities who are employed</b> may have to quit their jobs due to loss
of funds for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) or access to state optional
Medicaid buy-in plans, now existing in 65 states (only AL, FL, HI, TN and D.C. do
not have buy-in plans). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">- End of enhanced federal matching funds for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Money Follows the Person </b>(MFP) that
liberated over 63,000 people from institutions, and loss of Community First
Choice (CFC) will make it far more difficult for people to leave or avoid
institutions, which in the aggregate are 2-3 times more expensive for a poorer
quality of life than the costs and benefits of community services and supports.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- If ACA is repealed </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">we will revert to Lifetime Caps in commercial
insurance which harm people with significant medical and community LTSS needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- There can be NO repeal without replacement,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and any replacement plan must assure access to
quality coordinated health care in Medicaid including Health Homes and
cost-effective LTSS FOR personal care, CFC, and HCBS state plans and waivers
rather than nursing homes and INSTITUTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL/intellectual disabilities (ICFs/DD).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- On the commercial insurance side,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> we cannot accept High Risk Pools – they are
proven to not work, are very expensive and have high deductibles and co-pays.
Health Savings Accounts have NO savings in them for low and moderate income </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">people with disabilities</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Disability leaders</b> cannot support
reinstatement of annual and lifetime caps by insurance companies, and denial of
coverage or massive surcharges for preexisting conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The disability
community is united in its determination to protect access to affordable, quality
health care and long term supports and services that promote community living
and employment and we insist that your policy changes do no harm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- It’s about saving lives and
improving health<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- It’s about independence and
community participation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- It’s
about civil rights, freedom and liberty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We can help improve
Medicaid without harming people. Nothing about us without us, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mid-South ADAPT</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015278545603240591.post-29940136328389065922017-01-20T11:39:00.001-08:002017-01-20T11:39:03.549-08:00Disability Aspects of the ACA<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #08155a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Congress is on the fast track to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There are many, many advocates fighting to preserve the insurance provisions of the ACA – known as ObamaCare, but virtually no one is talking about the disability-specific aspects of the law. Here are four important provisions in the ACA that are critical for the Disability Community.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #08155a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
1. The ACA prohibited discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions by insurance companies.</div>
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2. The ACA extended Money Follows the Person, a Republican New Freedom initiative that is liberating thousands of disabled people from institutions, but that program is ending because of Congressional inaction.</div>
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3. The ACA established the Community First Choice Option a Medicaid option that incentivizes states to FREE OUR PEOPLE from nursing facilities and institutions.</div>
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4. The ACA authorized accessibility standards for Diagnostic Medical Equipment so people with disabilities could get access to preventative healthcare screenings and appropriate diagnostic testing.</div>
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Congress is acting swiftly to repeal the ACA, but most members of Congress have no idea that these provisions were even included in the ACA! We cannot rely on other groups to defend our interests and issues. The Disability Community – itself – needs to act now!</div>
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TAKE ACTION</div>
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1. Do this electronic action alert to tell Congress to preserve these disability-specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://cqrcengage.com/cdrnys/app/write-a-letter?engagementId=269093" rel="nofollow" style="color: #051a64; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Click here</a></div>
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2. PROMOTE and SHARE this link to get as many other people as possible to TAKE ACTION on this issue!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://cqrcengage.com/cdrnys/app/write-a-letter?engagementId=269093" rel="nofollow" style="color: #051a64; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Click here</a></div>
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3. Sign on your ORGANIZATION to this letter urging Congress to save these disability-specific provisions in the ACA.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://cdrnys.org/blog/press-releases/dont-undercut-disability-rights-in-aca-repeal-jan-10-2017/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #051a64; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Click here</a></div>
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4. Send your OWN letter to Congressional Leadership and the people that represent you in Congress. Use the text from the sign on letter to make this easy and send us a copy at MMoore@CDRNYS.org</div>
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TWEET!</div>
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Whether you like him or not, President-elect Trump demonstrated the power of Twitter. US policy is now being made in 140 characters or less. We should leverage our special media voice and our social media networks to get the word out. Although Congressional leadership doesn’t follow Twitter closely and respond, the President-elect does. If we can’t get through to Congress, we should ask @realDonaldTrump to help us make the case.</div>
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#ACA included Money Follows the Person- Republican initiative giving #NewFreedom to #disabled. @realDonaldTrump #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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#ACA included Community First Choice- giving #Liberty to #disabled. @realDonaldTrump #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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#Liberty of #Disabled shouldn’t be culture war collateral damage. @realDonaldTrump help get Congress to #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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#ACA gave #Disabled women access to mammography. @realDonaldTrump help get Congress to #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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#ACA stops discrimination against #disabled by insurance. @realDonaldTrump help get Congress to #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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.@realDonaldTrump #ACA’s Community First Choice Option let Disabled people Stay in our homes! #ReadB4Repeal #CripThgbeVote</div>
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.@realDonaldTrump #ACA included the #GOP created Money Follows the Person Initiative giving Disabled ppl Freedom. #ReadB4Repeal #CripTheVote</div>
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ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY TOOLS</div>
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We know it is easier when you have a toolkit to work with. We have crafted a press release you can use and are finalizing some talking points to reference when the press calls you. We will add additional tools as this campaign continues. Here is the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://cdrnys.org/tool-kit/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #051a64; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">toolkit link</a></div>
Mid-South ADAPThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122924797599243081noreply@blogger.com0