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Heim / Albúm / Memphis, May 1998 22
Stofndagur / 2013 / Júlí / 18
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This page continues the article from Image 1123. Full text available under 1123 for easier reading.
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This page continues the article from Image 1123. Full text available under 1123 for easier reading.
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[Headline] We came to Tennessee to Set Our People Free Memphis in May is a city promotional gimic to draw tourists, but for the 500 ADAPT activists who gathered there the attraction was much bleaker. In the battle for MiCASA, the Medic-aid Community Attendant Services Act, one of the most common arguments against such a bill is that states should have control over what services they offer and how they are provided. "Every place is different" the argument goes, and "we know best how to take care of our own, in our own special circumstances." Well those of us in the disability community know the chilling implications of per of talk, but until a bright light is focused on the problem everyone can pretend it isn't there. Tennessee was given the dubious distinction of being the Number One Worst State, so May 9th through the 14th over 500 ADAPT activists from across the nation gathered on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River to show what happens when some states are left to their own devices. After the workshops on Sunday morning, the public part of ADAPT gathering was kicked off with a rally in Court Square in downtown Memphis. The purpose: to announce the 10 Worst States for Community Based Attendant Services (see related article page 24), and announce ADAPT's purpose for ;.being in Memphis. Mother's Day was, appropriately, the backdrop of the event since more than any other group women are impacted by long term care policy. The 10 Worst States (and five Dishonorable Mentions) were awarded in bed pans to representatives of each state who promised to deliver them to their Governors. Representatives from various impacted groups in the Number One Worst State, the State of Tennessee, then spoke about various aspects of the issue. The President of People First of Tennessee, the group which success-fully sued to close down some of the worst state developmental disability institutions in the nation spoke about the importance of self determination. An institution escapee also of People First, spoke about civil rights for all. LaTonya Reeves, who used to live in a Memphis nursing home, spoke about how she had to move to Colorado to get the attendant services she needs to live in her own home. An ex-college professor who is currently warehoused in a Memphis nursing home, spoke of the long wasted days he now spends wishing he was elsewhere. An AARP Representative spoke of local legislative efforts and the need for more advocacy. From the rally, a fleet of vans then loaded up and carried about 100 protesters to a local nursing home, Kings Daughters and Sons, KIDS, which "specializes" in younger folks with disabilities and which has court orders to keep the Memphis Center for Independent Living and ADAPT members away from those who want to get out. "We wanted to show support and solidarity for those inside and for them to know the protests this week arc - in part - for them" Memphis ADAPTer Dawn Russell explained. MCII members reported calls from KDS inmates who said in whispered tones "when you come here just pass me in the hall and pre-tend you don't know me." Lining the side-walk on the opposite side of the street, those at the vigil chanted "can you hear us, on the inside, can you hear us?" and laid flowers in the driveway Shadowed faces watched from the windows. [Subheading] THE STATE OF THE STAFF Since no one from Tennessee State Government had showed up at the rally to accept the Number One Worst State award, bright and early on Monday ADAPT marched over to the State building where Governor Sundquist has an office. We wanted to talk with him about his state's dubious distinction and about the state long term care funding (which is increasing for institutions while the rest of the nation works to increase community based funding). We also wanted to talk about his fixing the lousy 12 year old "pilot" waiver program which is available in only four of the over 90 counties in Tennessee and has such restrictive eligibility requirements it is easier to get into a nursing home or move out of state than get attendant services. ADAPT marched across the huge expansive plaza on which Memphis' government buildings sit and straight into the State building. Hundreds of activists passed the .Security and took the elevators up to the 12th floor Governor's office. Packing themselves into every nook and cranny, the protesters sought to make room for as many others as possible. The elevators were finally turned off, but the huge stone and glass lobby served as an echo chamber for the chants of those below, so that even 12 floors above it was abundantly clear more folks were waiting below. For several hours state and local police tried various shows of force to try and intimidate ADAPT into leaving. They marched around in uniforms in formation. They made announcements over loudspeakers about impending arrests. They carried giant bolt cutters up 12 flights of stairs. They pulled on the latex gloves so common at arrest scenes these days. They pulled in lift equipped vehicles of various shapes and sizes and left sirens blaring and lights flashing. At three o'clock the Governor ordered the building be closed. All state workers were told to leave. Then suddenly, and in formation, the police were gone. The trucks and sirens and lights and bolt cutters and latex gloves -- all gone. ADAPT had called their bluff. Not all of ADAPT's troops had headed for the plaza level and elevators that morning. One group had headed for the back of the building on the street below, and the garage doors. All day there had been a dance of negotiations as non-state vehicles on non-state business were allowed to pass, like County vehicles, while state work related vehicles were held at bay. At four o'clock, the activists still on the plaza level formed up and marched down to join with those on the street level below. State police forced shut the doors to the state garage, but the county garage next door remained under ADAPT control, and when we learned the Governor would let no food or medications up to those inside. We were ready to turn on the heat in return. No cars in or out of the county garage till the County put in a call to the Governor was the position of the day leaders. Though County officials at first refused, eventually the County Mayor agreed to try, but had no success. So we agreed to hold a press conference, together with the City Mayor, and in a show of good faith 50 of the protesters from the 12th floor agreed to come down. The press conference with the Mayor of Shelby County and the Mayor of the City of Memphis went like a charm. Both Mayors, though not supporting ADAPT's tactics, standing behind ADAPT as they spoke to a bank of reporters, said the issue was a critical one that the Governor should address, and that they were trying to get the Governor to allow food and medications upstairs. The Governor was lone man out. We marched back up to the plaza level and as the moon rose we divided up into shifts to maintain our vigil of support for those 103 still inside. In the morning we reconvened in front of the state building for our meeting and found the Governor had declared the build-ing closed for another day. Sundquist was obviously willing to let people with disabilities hang. By maintaining the funding bias toward institutions and slashing any new funds for community based services in the last state legislature, he was in effect sentencing them to nursing homes without choice, without hope. Meanwhile he had collected contributions from this industry during his last election campaign. Some people sell their souls for power, Sundquist sold other people's liberty. But his actions toward ADAPT and on this issue had exposed attitude toward people with disabilities, young and old. His policy of "let them rot." was more public than ever before. On talk radio shows people in nursing homes were calling in asking how they could get out, how they could join us. Folks had stopped by the vigil and our hotels to tell us of their support. Local advocacy groups were calling the Governor's office, calling other local elected officials to support us, dropping off water, and stopping by to show their support. We had more work to do though, and another important message to send. At noon, roughly 24 hours after the visit had begun, the 103 came down fir a press conference. Day three started much as the others with a march up to the Government Plaza. The State building was now surrounded by State troopers and they didn't look friendly. But no problem. We were not headed that day. We were targeting the other culprit in the "states' rights" fiasco of a policy on long term care: the feds. The Clinton Administration's tepid - at best support community based services has long been a• point of frustration for ADAPT and others who have even the faintest belief in "liber and justice for all." At the MiCASA hearth the representatives from FICFA and Health and Human Services were probably the weakest link, even our opponents were a bigger help to the cause than these it just so happens that the Administrator, HCFA Nancy Ann Min DeParle, came to job direct from directing Health and Hum jet Services, in guess which state... And the second in command in the Clinton Administration, and hoping to be his heir apparent was Tennessee Native Son Al Gore. So not only was Tennessee taking gross advantage of federal policies to exploit her citizens who need support services, the state was serving up its leadership to direct national poll well. ADAPT's plan was simple but effective. Encircle the building and make it a nursing home for a day. May in Memphis is not a cool time, especially hours in the hot sun. But tired as ADAPT's activists were they held firm. Tussles at doors with saw horse barricades, only furthered the proof ADA was there to stay. Our demands were faxed, to the Vice President, along with the message, that if we did not get some kind of response by three we would have to escalate. What we had in mind was blocking street level entrances, but at 2:45 ADAV history was made when an abandoned ammo box was found in the bushes by the federal building. A bomb scare. Skeptical at first, leadership was shown the box, and soon learned that two of our members had been approached by someone who told them there was a bomb in the area.
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PHOTO: A woman in a black ADAPT T-shirt (Cassie James) looks over her shoulder and up as she speaks to reporters who are holding microphones in front of her. She has red hair and her eyes are wide, her focus intense. Only the reporters hands and mics are in the picture. Behind her a man in a wheelchair (Herb Teat) holds a four prong cane on shoulder. Behind him is a line of ADAPT folks along a building - left to right: Chico from PA in purple, Sharon Joseph of KS in light blue, Karen Greebon of TX in red, and behind Herb is Mike Auberger in black, partially hidden.)
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The Handicapped Coloradan [Headline] Vice President's own state named worst for home attendant care Tennessee Vice President Al Gore's home state was named by ADAPT as the worst state in the country when it comes to diverting Medicaid money from nursing homes into community based home attendant care. President Clinton's home state of Arkansas escaped a "worst ten" designation but was one of five states which made the "Dishonorable Mention" list. The other nine states mostly from the south or midwest—on the "worst" list were Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Ohio and Kentucky. The other dishonorable mentions included Washington, D C:, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The "awards" were announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, in Court Square in downtown Memphis. Mike Auberger, the national ADAPT organizer from Denver, presented the first place award to Deborah Cunningham, director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living. Cunningham said she would personally deliver the award to Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist. Other speakers at the rally included Charles Hall of Tennessee People First who is suing the state to close down institutions for persons with developmental disabilities. Also present were Mary Stockley of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and LaTonya Reeve, a former resident of Memphis, who said "I'm ashamed to say that I'm from Tennessee ! had to leave the city of Memphis and move to Den-ver to get attendant services." Following the speeches, 200 demonstrators took up a vigil on McElmore Street across from the Kings Daughters and Sons Home which is a nursing home composed almost entirely of younger persons with disabilities. As the crowd chanted, "Can you hear us, on the inside?" and "Free our people now!", two ADAPT members laid flowers at the entrance to the nursing home. "We wanted our brothers and sisters who are still being warehoused in nursing homes to know that those of us on the outside continue to fight for their freedom and their right to choose where they live, " said Dawn Russell of Memphis. Vice President Gore declined an invitation to meet with ADAPT in Memphis. "I don't know how Gore can sleep at night knowing about all the persons trapped and dying in Tennessee nursing homes. He hasn't lifted a finger to help us," said Dawn Russell of Memphis. ADAPT's legislation, H.R. 2020, also known as the Medicaid Community Attendant Services Act of 1997 or MiCASA (Spanisn for My House), is co-sponsored by House Minority Leader Richard Gebhardt and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Although President Clinton has personally told ADAPT members that he supports their goals, the administration has yet to take an offi-cial position on the house bill. Additional stories on ADAPT actions or members can be found on pages 30-32. The Handicapped Colorado thanks for ADAPT for furnishing this information. Call 303-333-6698 for more information on this organization.
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The Handicapped Coloradan [Headline] Wheelchair protesters seize Tennessee governor's office More than 500 wheelchair activists stormed the offices of Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist on Monday, May 11, to demand that the governor support home attendant health care for the disabled citizens of his state. The demonstrators, members of the Denver-based ADAPT, cited statistics from Health Care Financing Administration that allege Tennessee is the worst state in the country in terms of sharing its tax dollars between institutions and community services. When Sundquist ordered that the protesters be denied food, medication and water, 400 demonstrators pulled out of his immediate offices and blocked all entrances to the state and county parking lots, effectively trapping state employees in the building. The other 103 demonstrators remained in the governor's 12th floor offices throughout the night while the bulk of the demonstrators maintained an all-night vigil. ADAPT allowed the trapped state employees to exit the building after meeting with Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton and Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout, both of whom endorsed the protesters' demands for home and community based services. On three occasions, Herenton and Rout also asked that Sundquist provide the demonstrators with food and medication. ADAPT charges that thousands of disabled people are being warehoused in nursing homes against their will. Meaningful, flexible home and community based services are nonexistent in Tennessee, according to ADAPT. "Tell (Sundquist) to have a heart. Tell him to help us be part of this community instead of forcing us into nursing homes," said demonstrator Sam Ware of Memphis. Ware's comments were supported by Mike Auberger of Denver: "Governors like Sundquist who choose to ignore the cost effectiveness and rightness of home and community based services, and instead continue to sentence their citizens to death in nursing homes, leave us with one solution—federal legislation that guarantees choice for all Americans. We'll just have to go to another level." ADAPT wants Tennessee to take full advantage of the Medicaid Waiver which allows people with disabilities and older people to get services in the community rather than from "costly and dehumanizing nursing homes." The current Medicaid Waiver in Tennessee requires that disabled people be "home-bound," which means they may only leave their homes five times a month. ADAPT maintains this effectively makes people prisoners in their own homes. It also applies only to people who re-quire round-the-clock care. ADAPT argues that many people now in institutions can survive in the community with less than 24-hour services. Even this limited use of the Medicaid Waiver is of little use to most citizens of Tennessee, according to ADAPT, which says only 4 of that state's 95 counties are currently covered by the waiver.
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Memphis, Monday, May 11, 1998 The Commercial Appeal [Image] [Image caption] Exchanging views Gayle Hafner (left) of Baltimore talks with Margaretta Newell of Houston at an afternoon rally Sunday in Court Square. The rally was held to build support for national legislation to expand government funding for personal assistants. The Tennessee legislative session recently ended without expanding Medicaid funding for home services as an alternative to nursing home care. By Thomas Busler
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TWO PHOTOS side by side. On left: At an angle, Sue Davis kneels on the grass beside a line of folks in pink ADAPT shirts and wheelchairs. She is looking down at a bluegreen bedpan with a framed certificate in it. Photo on right: Four bluegreen bedpans with framed certificates in them are lined up along a curb. Two extra certificates are beside the last two bedpans. Three people's feet are visible at the edges of the photo.
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[This page continues the article from Image 1130. Full text available on 1130 for easier reading.]
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Memphis, Sunday, May 10, 1998 [Headline] 500 tp push for Medicaid funds for home aides [Subheading] At issue is choice, supporters say The Commercial Appeal After living nearly 37 years with her parents and logging another nine years in a nursing home, 47-year-old Tena Murphy is settling into life on her own. "It's definitely home," said Murphy, surveying a one-bedroom apartment accepted by her doll and stuffed animal collections. A small inheritance from her father's death provided Murphy with money for a subsidized apartment and $72 weekly for a personal assistant. This week, the debate over whether to expand government funding for personal assistants gets a Memphis pivot point. About 500 are expected here to build support for national legislation to expand government funding for personal assistants. "The issue isn't to shot nursing homes down, but to provide real choice," said Michael Auberger, 42, of Denver. Auberger is national organizer and co-founder of ADAPT, a disability-rights group that has organized four days of workshops, meetings and demonstrations. Founded in 1983, ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today) has pushed for improved transportation and alternatives to nursing homes. Events kick off today with a 3:30 p.m. Court Square rally. The Memphis gathering comes shortly after the Tennessee legislative session ended without expanding the Medicaid funding for home and community services as an alternative to nursing home care. Instead, legislators created an advisor council to develop a comprehensive state plan for long-term care services, excluding nursing homes. The plan's expected in January. "I'm disappointed we didn't put money into (home and community services) now," said Rep. John Arriola (D-Nashville), the bill's House sponsor. The bill originally called for channeling half of any future Medicaid budget increase to pay for services, such as personal aides, meals and transportation, that could help people avoid nursing homes. Arriola said the funding provision was dropped because it lacked adequate support. Auberger said that's why ADAPT favors national legislation. "States could do a lot of this now, but have ignored the call of the disabled and aging community," said Bob Kafka, 52, an Austin-based ADAPT member. "Congress has to take action. This is a very passionate issue. We call this a civil rights issue. People are being forced into institutions" because state Medicaid programs won't pay for personal aides and other support services, Kafka said. Both Kafka and Auberger rely on wheelchairs. ADAPT members are in Memphis to highlight Tennessee's shortcomings and push a bill now before Congress. ADAPT uses workshops, street theater and nonviolent protest to intensify its message. At similar gatherings in other cities, ADAPT members were arrested in demonstrations that have included chaining themselves to the White House fence, blocking buses and driveways or piling into congressional offices. Auberger declined to discuss the group's Memphis plan. Deputy Chief Samuel Moses said the Memphis Police Department believes it includes action that could trigger arrest. But he said the group hasn't discussed anything with police. Murphy's plans include attending today's workshops and rally. She said without an aide who spends about 12 hours a week helping her shop, clean, dress and bathe, she'd still be in King's Daughters and Sons Home. Medicaid paid Murphy's nursing home bill, but it wouldn't pay for a personal assistant because she wasn't homebound and didn't need 24-hour help. Tennessee's Medicaid budget is about $672 million, most going to underwrite nursing home care for about 30,000 Tennesseans. Medicaid is separate from the state's TennCare health program. More than 70 percent of Tennessee nursing home residents qualify for Medicaid, which is funded with state and federal dollars. Eligibility is linked to a person's income and assets. Until Murphy could afford to pay her own assistant, a nursing home was her only option. An only child, Murphy lived at home with her parents until her mother died and a traffic accident eventually sent her father to a nursing home. Both parents are now deceased. "Tena is an example of what home and community-based services can do," said Bernarc Danzig, Plough Towers director. Murphy spent two years on its waiting list. Danzig said he and nursing home administrators were un sure if Murphy could handle life on her own. The first month was difficult Simple things like dressing were a problem. But now she's enrolled in computer class and plans to earn her GED and begin college. She helps in the Plough Towers library and handles resident E-mail. Murphy relies heavily on public transportation to visit friends in the nursing home and attend University of Men-phis basketball games. She serves on the local ADAPT board and a Memphis Area Transit Authority advisory council. Recently, she hosted her first party. "Iwant to show people in the community we (in the disability community) are active," said Murphy. "We need to be independent." To reach reporter Mary Powers, call 529-2383 or E-mail powers@gomemphis.com
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PHOTO: A very intense looking woman (Linda Anthony) in a red MiCASA HR2020 T-shirt, is looking up and to the side at reporters as she answers their questions. Only the arms and microphones of the reporters are in view. Someone else [possibly Cassie James, ADAPT-1124] in a black ADAPT T-shirt is sitting next to her, and behind you can see a row of feet of people in wheelchairs lined up. Linda looks like she is telling them what for.
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PHOTO: A mass of ADAPT people are gathered in the tiny park amid downtown DC, probably Pennsylvania Ave. In the background are large office buildings as well as a TV truck and some small trees. The everyone in the crowd is looking intently off to the right side of the photo, focused on something going on. Shona Eakin, with red hair and a red T-shirt on the right side of the picture is yelling. Behind her is a camera man, and behind him someone is holding up a red poster. Beside her is a man in a elaborate seated power chair. Pn his left at the edge of the picture is Mike Eakin, also in a red ADAPT No place like home T-shirt. Someone in the back standing (possibly Brook Ball) has his hands to his mouth yelling. It's very sunny and everyone is packed together.
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PHOTO: In the foreground a stone platform with a huge metal seal partially visible that reads "..OF THE STATE..." Someone, mostly off camera, sits on this. Behind it two people in yellow ADAPT shirts (Claude Holcomb, left and Marsha Coleman, right) are sitting in their chairs. To Marsha's right another woman in a wheelchair, and behind her John Gladstone is sitting with his hands raised up. Behind Claude and Marsha a woman in a green t0shirt is interacting with someone behind Marsha whose fists are raised above Marsha's head. Behind Claude and up against the building Rand Metcalf in a dark ADAPT shirt, raises a fist above his head. To his right a man in a cap (possibly Kevin Seik) has his hand by his mouth as if he is yelling. The building is a dark speckled stone.
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PHOTO: The midst of a crowd of ADAPT people outside a large office building. In the forground a rasied fist. Behind, two women in different yellow ADAPT shirts, one standing and yelling or chanting, one sitting in her chair squinting and focusing. Behind them, more protesters including a man in dark glasses and a dark tshirt and in the center of the picture but back, Sue Davis is standing looking determined.
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[Headline] Ten Worst States for Personal Attendant Services 1. Tennessee 2. Mississippi 3. Louisiana 4. Missouri 5. Georgia 6. Illinois 7. Indiana 8. Florida 9. Ohio 10. Kentucky [Subheading] Dishonorable Mention 1. Washington D.C. 2. Texas 3. Pennsylvania 4. New Jersey 5. Arkansas Information used, for ranking the Ten Worst came from a variety of sources including personal stones and recommendations of advocacy organizations. Two sources we used were: The State of the States in Developmental Disabilities published by the American Association on Mental Retardation and State LTC Profiles Report published by the Institute for Health Services Research, University of Minnesota. [Subheading] Tennessee * 94.8% of long term care spending goes to nursing homes. (1992) * Fiscal effort for community services for people with developmental disabilities 36% BELOW national average. * Total MR/IUD spending 38th in the country. * Spending for congregate facilities increased by 41% in Tennessee while spending for congregate facilities nationwide has declined 12%. * 50th in per capita spending for home and community-based care for people over the age of 65. * Number of people with developmental disabili-ties living in nursing homes increased 25% (1992-96) nationally a 13% decrease. * 50th in spending on home and community-based care as a percentage of long term care expenditures. * Commitment to home and community based services ranked 50th by the Institute for Health Services Research. (For specifics on other worst states, contact ADAPT of Texas 512-442-0252 or adapt@adapt.org)