[Headline] Activists for the disabled stage protests
[Subheading] In wheelchairs, they blocked off party headquarters to show their support for proposed Medicaid changes
By Curt Anderson
Associated Press

Washington--Dozens of people in wheelchairs blocked entrances to Democratic and republican Party headquarters yesterday to show support for Medicaid changes that they said would allow many of them to remain out of nursing homes.

The peaceful protests, staged by Americans for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT, were meant to build suuport for legislation expected to be introduced next year in Congress to allow more disabled Medicaid recipients to receive care at home or at some community based setting.

"The only option that exists for many people is the nursing home," Michael Auberger of Denver, cofounder of ADAPT. "What we want to do is create a choice."

The group chose yesterday for the protests because it is the day before the midterm congressional elections. The protests blocked party entrances for much of the afternoon, forcing cancellation of an election-related news conference by Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson.

Police kept an eye on the group but made no arrests.

More than three-quarters of long-term Medicaid money goes to care for people in institutions, with only about 20 percent in alternative community settings, ADAPT says. Some states have obtained waivers to provide alternative care, but ADAPT wants a new national policy.

11/3/98 Philadelphia INQ

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Thursday 18 July 2013

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Friday 6 December 2019

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