ADAPT smashes two more barriers to reform

ADAPT pressed on to the goal of REAL CHOICE in long-term care and Medicaid reform by striking up dialogues with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Senate. 

Before noon ADAPT marched to the HUD office building where they encountered police barricades manned and ready to keep back the ADAPT advocates. ADAPT surrounded the building and began chanting at the police line.

The law enforcement officers however used their numbers to attempt to assist staff and visitors to continue to push through the demonstration and into the HUD office depleting their supervision of the barrier. ADAPT pushed in the unmanned portions of the fortification and broke through in several places.

"As soon as they left," said Mike Goupil the first advocate to the door, "we started pushing the barricade in." 

The police could not stop the waves of advocates then pressing on through to the doors. A leadership team and several advocates inside the office building worked to assure negotiations while 500 ADAPT members shut down the building. The leadership met with Dan Murphy of the Secretary's staff and demanded to meet with Secretary Martinez in the next two months. 

"Dan Murphy was not going to write a letter of support," said Luanne Kibbie from Kansas, "until ADAPT gave up the doors - ADAPT was not giving up the doors."

After consulting with the police Dan Murphy wrote a letter committing the Secretary to meet with ADAPT within 60 days. Mr. Murphy himself came out to announce over a bullhorn to the assembled membership of ADAPT the promise.

The work of ADAPT, however did not end with that victory. ADAPT then began the task of enlisting the support from each legislator for MiCASSA, Medicaid reform to end the imbalance of public funding to institutions over home and community-based long-term care. Senator Harkin has committed to introducing the legislation in three weeks. From all across the nation, ADAPT advocates used their time in the capitol to get direct contact with Senators and staff. 

Following the visits to the hill, ADAPT met one last time to coordinate national efforts and to have a party. Mike Auberger told the assemble membership of ADAPT:

"I hope - no I expect, to see every one of you in San Francisco this next October 20 - 26."

- Tim Wheat