ARCIL - Issue Alert

Community Choice Act
July 2009

 

From ADAPT of Texas

For Immediate Release:                  Contact:  Bruce Darling (585) 362-9843

July 23, 2009                                                     Cassie James (215) 219-0694

ADAPT activists begin third day of protest at Democratic National Headquarters

Washington, DC - As dawn breaks in the nation's capitol, approximately 30 disability rights activists, most with disabilities, from ADAPT continue their vigil on the sidewalk surrounding the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). 

On Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in 25 cities across the nation, ADAPT groups took their message to Democratic Party offices and its leaders.  Forty ADAPT members in Washington, DC protested in the DNC headquarters, and were physically removed by law enforcement from the building at approximately 6:00 PM, although no arrests were made.

The protesters were demanding that the Democratic National Committee:

1. Apologize for creating Medicaid's institutional bias which has forced millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities needlessly into nursing facilities and other institutions;
2. Issue a public statement calling for elimination of the institutional bias in 2009 either as part of healthcare reform or as separate legislation, known as the Community Choice Act (S 683/HR1670); and
3. Facilitate a meeting between ADAPT and Democratic leaders, including Representative Henry Waxman, Senator Max Baucus, and Valerie Jarrett of the White House to develop a plan to pass the Community Choice Act.

In most cities, the Democratic committees agreed to relay ADAPT's demands to the DNC.  However, in our nation's capital, the DNC still refuses to meet any of ADAPT's demands. 

What do you think?

ARCIL encourages you to contact your representatives in Congress about issues important to people with disabilities. For more information, contact -

John Meinkowsky, Policy Analyst
ARCIL, Inc.
825 East Rundberg Lane, Suite E-6
512 832-6349
Fax 512 832-1869
johnm@arcil.com