Disabled Soap Box

April 28, 2008

500 disability activists storm Health & Human Services building

By Susan

Activists surround Health & Human services building500 ADAPT disability activists from around the county surround the US Department of Health & Human Services in the pouring rain.

ADAPT demonstrates in support of people with disabilitiesThey demonstrate in support of the thousands of people with disabilities and older Americans who 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 the Bush Administration.

Activists surround HHS building in pouring rain

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:

  • Improve the implementation of the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Projects by increasing flexibility states have;
  • 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.