[Headline] ADAPT Takes Over HHS Demands better compliance to civil rights.

Mike Leavitt Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services today agreed to meet with ADAPT in the next 40 days to discuss demands to end the continuing unnecessary institutionalization of Americans because of weak and antiquated Medicaid policy.

Philo Hall of HHS announced the agreement negotiated after ADAPT activists stormed the building getting about 50 people past the security. The other 500 activists at HHS blocked the doors and did not allow people in or out of the building chanting: "Just like a nursing home, you can't get out."

"What a great day to get so many people indoors," said Randy Alexander of Memphis, "If we didn't have people inside, they would not have talked with us. We had the inside elevators in the center lobby."

HITS Security attempted to block doors and keep ADAPT activists out of the building, but in pushing at several of the doors, activists got in before the building was locked up.

At the eastern door, activists held the doors open and security used barriers to keep ADAPT out. The pushing and shoving did not end at that door until after 10:30AM when the HHS security pushed a large garbage container into the doorway to hold back the tide of activists. As they put the barricade in place Andy Cooper and Logan Knight slipped past and were arrested.

Inside the ADAPT takeover resulted in negotiations. Ultimately, ADAPT not only secured the meeting with Leavitt, but a commitment for HITS to meet with the ADAPT leadership today and follow-up tomorrow.

Just after noon, the police at the west door erected a parameter around the activists with orange steel barricades. A short time later, the police moved activists who did not use wheelchairs out of the entrance. Michael Heinrich was carried by the police about 30 feet, but he was not put under arrest. Over a half-a-dozen ADAPT activists still held the door closed.

"It is important to meet with Leavitt," said Larry Biondi of Chicago, "because we are headed back to the begining. Only Leavitt can persuade the Bush Administration to put more funding into the Medicaid budget for this; and I am not happy about how the program stands now."

Text of the demands-

ADAPT DEMANDS To: HHS SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT
From: ADAPT Community
Date: April 28, 2008

Thousands of people with disabilities and older Americans CONTINUE to be unnecessarily forced into and kept in nursing homes and other institutions because of the inaction and development of barrier-ridden regulations by HHS and this Administration.

ADAPT demands that Secretary Mike Leavitt: IMMEDIATELY eliminate any rules which cause undue burdens regarding case management;

* Eliminate any rules that discourage small grassroots providers from meeting the needs of the consumers they serve;

* Eliminate any regulations and interpretations of "spousal impoverishment" and "risk" which promote institutionalization of persons with disabilities;

* Work with ADAPT on ways to pass the Community Choice Act; and

* Meet with leaders of ADAPT within thirty (30) days of this date to clarify any of the above and identify other barriers to home and community based services in all fifty states.

ADAPT, the nations leading activist group for people with disabilities, is celebrating its 25th year of direct action, with direct action. On Thursday ADAPT has a celebration for its members with a history display, barbeque, show and party.

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Tuesday 23 July 2013

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Sunday 20 December 2020

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• ADAPT's 25th Anniversary - Washington DC, Spring 2008

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