Rally to Protect Healthcare.

(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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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 www.midsouthadapt.org   “Healthcare is a Human Right!” 

#SaveOurMedicaid
#ADAPTandResist