Sit-in's cost worth it, say protesters
July 2, 2005
By CLAUDIA PINTO
Staff Writer
259-8277Following reports that it's costing $2,000 a day in security for TennCare recipients to protest at the governor's Capitol Hill office, a small but passionate group of enrollees held a news conference yesterday and said it's a small sum to pay for trying to save peoples lives.
"I'm wondering, what is the cost of a human life?" said Lisa Abell, a TennCare recipient who helped organize the event. "I don't think any human being can know the value of their own life. It certainly can never be measured in dollars."
Walter Russell spoke on behalf of his wife, Beverly, who's had 27 cancerous growths removed and will be removed from the TennCare rolls on July 14.
The 69-year-old, silver-haired man said he and his wife live in a trailer and depend mostly on his $579 a month Social Security check. He says he has no idea how they will pay for her medication and doctors' visits in the future.
"We'll be out on the street or living under a bridge," said Russell, who was shaking as he clutched his crutches.
TennCare coverage is slated to end for 323,000 Tennesseans in the coming months as the governor oversees cuts he says are needed to control soaring costs in the $8 billion expanded Medicaid program. More than 1.3 million people, about 23% of the state's residents, get their health coverage from TennCare.
Yesterday was day 12 of the sit-in, protesting the planned cuts. Abell said she and a handful of other TennCare enrollees have been taking turns sleeping in the Capitol Hill building. Abell said she typically sleeps on the bare marble floor outside the governor's office.
"They don't want us to bring in blankets," Abell said. "Because it's July, it's all right."
Maj. Lee Chaffin with the Tennessee Highway Patrol told the Associated Press earlier this week that it costs about $2,000 a day to monitor the 24-hour protest. Abell says those costs probably won't end soon.
"I foresee it going on until we have a plan for of taking care of every Tennessean, until the cuts are stopped and people are back at the table constructing a plan that works for everyone," she said.
Dear Tennessean:
July 3, 2005
The cost of security for the occupation of the Governors office by TennCare enrollees and concerned citizens is reported to be $2,000 a day but where is the money going? Why this amount? The troopers argent receiving overtime and, if it is costing this amount, why is Bredesen allowing this by refusing a public meeting? American policy is based on a government of, by, and for the people: Democracy was created to enable public participation. These individuals are seeking a public meeting for the opportunity for community discussion of possible financial solutions to the TennCare crisis without seeking monetary compensation. Who wouldn't be willing to listen to the ideas of their constituents? Their voting constituents. These individuals are not opponents of Governor Bredesen; they want to work with him.
A small group of enrollees is the description often attributed to these participants, now in day 14 of a non-violent protest in order to maintain the most basic human health care benefits for themselves and 323,000 other Tennesseans. What an incredible sacrifice they are making, those whose lives in some cases, are on the line: without TennCare, they WILL die and they know the lives and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of other Tennesseans are at stake, too. Some have had the opportunity to get what they need and walk away: but they do not because they are in this for ALL Tennesseans; for all Americans.
What is happening today in Tennessee is also happening in many other states and is a microcosm of the rest of the US. This small group is receiving international recognition for their sacrifice including a multitude of individuals who believe in their cause but are unable to participate due to lack of transportation, poor health, lack of funds, and fear of retribution. This independence day, lets reflect on what these and other Americans have/are forfeiting to make the necessity of health care a reality for all of us; for their belief in democracy.
Sincerely,
Lorre Leon Mendelson,
Human Rights Activist/Author/EducatorMember Benefits | About AAPD | Join | Disability Resources | News | Contact Us | Calendar | Home