Free Our People March and Rally On-line Press Information

Links:

http://www.ilru.org/online/archive/2003/09-17-micassa.html 
September 17, 2003
ILRU archived audio webcast of the historic rally in Upper Senate Park.
Hypertext version of the ILRU webcast of the rally.
Text version of the ILRU webcast of the rally.

http://www.kyw1060.com/news_archives_detail.cfm?newsitemid=31858 
KYW radio story
September 4, 2003
by KYW's Karin Phillips 

http://hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/News/content?oid=oid:31544 
Don't Fence Me In. A Hartford man joins national pilgrimage for the disabled
Hartford Advocate
September 4, 2003
By: Patrick Rucker 

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10134339&BRD=1973&PAG=461&dept_id=214849&rfi=6 
Cecil Whig 09/09/2003 
Group carries message to D.C.
By: Mike Spector, mspector@cecilwhig.com  

http://www.suntimes.com/output/letters/cst-edt-vox17a.html 
Disabled get on the move for freedom 
Letters to the Editor - Chicago Sun Times, September 17, 2003
By: Larry Biondi.

Download Press Package:

Olmstead: Reclaiming Institutionalized Lives (Full-Length On-Line Version), National Council on Disability, August 19, 2003. 
"The extent of unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities in the United States is daunting. Research and experience have shown that the great majority of people who live in large congregate settings could be supported safely and effectively and enjoy a higher quality of life in a typical home in the community." [HTML Document: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/reclaimlives.html]

Center for Medicaid and State Operations, August 13, 2002.
This letter highlights promising state practices, such as programs in which “money follows the person,” and outlines some early lessons learned from states that previously awarded nursing facility transition grants. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: 081302cms1.pdf ~185kb].

NURSING HOMES Prevalence of Serious Quality Problems Remains Unacceptably High, Despite Some Decline Statement of William J. Scanlon Director—Health Care Issues, July 17, 2003. United States General Accounting Office, GAO Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: 071703gao1.pdf ~208kb].

Delivering on the Promise: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Self-Evaluation to Promote Community Living for People with Disabilities Report to the President On Executive Order 13217.
This report is based upon an exhaustive agency self-assessment and review and analysis of comments from more than 800 individuals and organizations representing diverse interests and disabilities. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: 040902hhs1.pdf ~426kb].

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Investigation of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, April 1, 2003.
Based upon our review, we find that the City continues to be in violation of the ADA and continues to fail to ensure that LHH residents are being served in the most integrated setting appropriate to meet their needs. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: 040103doj1.pdf ~176kb].

United States General Accounting Office Report to Congressional Committees SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES Medicare Payments Exceed Costs for Most but Not All Facilities, December 2002.
CMS noted that this report supports its position that Medicare SNF payment rates are more than adequate to cover the cost of services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: 123102gao2.pdf ~219kb].

S. 971 The Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2003. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: S971.pdf ~75kb] [HTML Link] [Text Link: S971a.txt ~37kb].

HR 2032 The Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2003. 
[Download Link to Adobe Acrobat Document: hr2032.pdf ~75kb] [Text Link: hr2032a.txt ~37kb].

News Releases:

• 9/16/03 ADAPT Rally for MiCASSA in Upper Senate Park.
• 9/12/03 HUNDREDS "MARCHING" IN WHEELCHAIRS FROM PHILADELPHIA WILL HOLD BALTIMORE PRESS CONFERENCE; WANT "FREEDOM FROM NURSING HOMES".
• 8/22/03 ADAPT 144 Mile "Free Our People" March Demands Congressional Action, Not Rhetoric.
• 8/22/03 MEDIA ADVISORY - Route description with map links.
• 3/7/03 ADAPT to Demand Federal Apology for Thousands Unnecessarily Institutionalized.

Articles about the march:

• Kansas - Disabled plan march to Washington, D.C.
• Colorado - Disabled activists are on a roll Adapt volunteers are heading to East Coast.
• Delaware - Disabled rights rally set for D.C.
• Pennsylvania - March set to support health care legislation.
• Colorado - Disabled Coloradoans Plan For ADAPT March.
• Colorado - Disabled fight for rights Group from Colorado to join march in Washington, D.C.

Information:

• N.O.D. Vice Chairman Christopher Reeve Supports Free Our People Marchers.
• CITY OF PHILADELPHIA - Proclamation.
• CITY OF AUSTIN - Proclamation.
• Free Our People March Route Maps.
• MiCASSA Information. The historic Medicaid reform legislation to end the institutional bias and bring real choice to long-term care.
• ADAPT's STOLEN LIVES Campaign.