Incitement
[Headline] TENNESSEE ADAPT MEETS WITH GOVERNOR

As promised, Governor McWherter met with Tennessee ADAPT November 2nd, in an interesting follow up to the National ADAPT action. The Governor came right out and said he did not like protests, and yet there he was. With him was Health Commissioner White who announced the approval of the first statewide nursing home waiver, for 150 people. (This waiver is also known as the ADAPT waiver, thanks to the statewide ADAPT protest which got the project started.)

Fourteen ADAPT representatives from across the state arrived ready for bear. Jerry Adams, using his communication board, began the meeting calling for an end to the institutional bias of support services and support for community based services Each representative introduced themselves and another piece of the problem with the current institutional bias in support services. Tennessee ADAPT had three demands of the Governor:

- Establish a State Task Force (50% or more consumers) on home and community based services to make recommendations on expanding these services.

- Apply for a Medicaid waiver for residents of developmental centers (state schools).

- Contact the National Governors’ Association - requesting that ADAPT be given a chance to address the NGA.

McWherter assigned his head legislative staff person as liaison between his office and ADAPT. He agreed to set up the Task Force and ADAPT is now negotiating the details. It was agreed the Task Force will look at the developmental center issue. (Legal suits against these centers for violations of residents civil rights, by the Department of Justice and People First, are close to final decisions and look to be trending toward closure of these warehouses.) Last but by no means least, the Governor agreed to take a resolution to the next Governors’ Association meeting related to long term care.

PHOTO by Tom Olin: A large crowd marches down the street with the Capitol building behind them. The march is led by three in wheelchairs, Tim Craven, left and chanting forcefully, Paul Ford, center, and Wynelle Carson are all members of Tennessee ADAPT. Caption reads: Tennessee ADAPT led the Victory March home from the Capitol.

Title: Michigan ADAPT Chant

We’re the ones
Who March and roll
We've come today
To take control

SOUND OFF
LISTEN — HEAR US

We're the ones
Who had no voice
We’ve come today
To make a choice

SOUND OFF
LISTEN - HEAR US

Created on

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Posted on

Tuesday 4 February 2020

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