For Immediate Release: September 13, 2006

For Information contact:
Bob Kafka 512-431-4085
Marsha Katz 406-544-9504
Janine Bertram 503-504-9787

ADAPT Hits Managed Care Group; Gets Meeting, and Commitment

Washington, D.C.-- Chanting “We’re not your cash cow, meet with ADAPT now,” ADAPT packed the lobby of the Capitol Hilton Hotel, demanding a meeting with Karen Ignagni, CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the trade association for many of the nation’s managed care organizations. And, once again, ADAPT got the meeting.

AHIP became a target when states started to explore integrating long-term services and supports with their existing managed care acute health services. ADAPT wants to assure that states don’t ration long-term services and supports in order to balance their budgets.

“If my state starts talking to a managed care organization, I want some commitments that any plan they develop that includes long-term services and supports will reflect the principles of community integration,” said Nelson Peet of Texas ADAPT. “I want a guarantee that I won’t lose the freedom I fought so hard for so long to get. I don’t ever want to go back to a nursing home.”

Added Randy Alexander, Memphis ADAPT Organizer, “Any plan should include services and supports that are based on my functional needs, and that are designed specifically for me in my person-centered plan. The delivery of my services should be directed by me, and my services should be delivered in the most integrated setting, which just happens to be my affordable, accessible, integrated home in my own community. And my attendants should receive a living wage and benefits. Any long-term services and supports managed care plan should reflect these non-negotiable principles.”

Ignagni presented ADAPT with her written commitment to meet within 30 days, after researching the ADAPT demands, and meeting with her board. She further committed to an in-depth ongoing dialog with ADAPT as AHIP members begin to work with individual states. ADAPT demands included:

• Consumer-directed services should be offered as the first delivery option for all consumers, with no institutional bias, and consumer populations will include SSI recipients, and Medicaid-only recipients;
• Allow individuals access to appropriate durable medical equipment and assistive technology, including professional assessment, set-up and training;
• Assure no AHIP members sign contracts with states without significant local/statewide ongoing public input on issues of eligibility criteria, rates, community integration evaluation measures, and program requirements;
• Regional trainings on how integration of acute and community-based long-term services interacts with community integration principles;
• Assurance that there will be aggressive outreach and education strategy to include people of all ages and all disabilities who use community-based organizations as contractors;
• Allow individuals to assume the risk and take control of their own health maintenance activities including medication administration, catheterization, wound care, tube feeding, IV injections, and ventilator care/suctioning, etc..

After meeting with Ignagni, ADAPT attended the ADA Hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building.

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