TennCare sit-in gains supporters -- your presence is needed.
July, 2005

Citizens offer Bredesen yet another cost-saving reform option to save TennCare that works in other states.

The TennCare enrollees who have been engaged in the longest continuous sit-in in U.S. history (now at 32 days) were joined today by a group of 20 disability rights activists, most of them in wheelchairs, from ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today). The group spoke with the press and presented Governor Bredesen's office with yet another option to help save TennCare: move the more than 6,000 Tennessean's who have stated that they want to leave the confinement of nursing homes back into their communities through home- and community-based care.

Such a reform to the TennCare program could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in cost-savings because home- and community-based care generally costs only 1/3 as much as institutional care. In fact, National Council of State Legislatures recently rated the strategy of expanding home and community based services #1 in their Top 10 of successful strategies for Medicaid cost-savings. Tennessee rates dead last, out of all 50 states, in pursuing this strategy.

Several ADAPT members from Arkansas spoke about how being freed from nursing homes have allowed them to live full lives again being reunited with their families, able to work and pay taxes, able to be part of their communities all while saving the state of Arkansas money that would have gone to their nursing home care.

Following the press conference, those assembled tried to enter the Governors reception room in order to make an appointment with him and were denied access by several State Troopers. This is contrary to the policy of the Governors office that the public be allowed in on official business, including to make appointments.

Don DeVaul, a paraplegic TennCare enrollee who stands to be cut, had this to say:

We've been here 32 days, Governor Bredesen, and we think its time you got down to business and really tried to reform the TennCare program, like you promised to do when you ran for Governor. Until you do that, we aren't going anywhere.

What you can do:

Call Andrew Jackson, assistant to the Governor (615-741-2001). Tell him that the Governor must respond to this and the many other proposals put forward by citizens to save money for the TennCare program. Also, demand that citizens must not be prevented from entering the Governors office to make appointments.

Come support the TennCare sit-in at the Capitol. Come any week day between 8am and 3:30 pm with a photo ID. If you can spend the night, contact the sit-in group at: (615) 485-7739.

Come show your support at the Candlelight Vigils: every night from 9 to 10pm, steps of the State Capitol above Legislative Plaza.

Jen Cartwright
Director of Education
Nashville Peace and Justice Center
1016 18th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Nashville Peace Justice website
(615) 321-9066 (ph) (615) 320-8897 (fax)

The Nashville Peace and Justice Center is working to build a culture of peace, localize the movement for global justice, and dismantle racism through reflection, education, and action.

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