Tell CMS: We Have Waited Long Enough for Freedom!

Source: ADAPT

During the holiday season we can't help but think about those who aren't able to be at home with their families or who won't enjoy the simple pleasures of the holidays because they are stuck in an institution. This year, many of us expected that, as the holiday season arrived, we would be working to address the institutional bias by urging our states to select the Community First Choice (CFC) Option or serving on CFC Development and Implementation Councils.

Unfortunately, even though the Community First Choice Option became available to states on October 1st, nearly three months later, CMS still hasn't released the final rules. The final CFC rules have been delayed, in part, because of comments made against CMS's proposed rules about the definition of "community" in 1915(c) waivers. In those rules, CMS proposed ways to better define "community", so that certain settings couldn't be funded using1915(c) home and community based services waivers. 

There are similar provisions in the CFC rules. Under the proposed rules, cottages on the grounds of public and private institutions, segregated facilities housing only people with a specific disability, and assisted living (in certain cases) wouldn't be eligible for HCBS waiver funding.

ADAPT and other advocates were pleased with the proposed rules. Unfortunately others opposed this policy. CMS heard loudly from those who profit from the segregation of our people, those who oppose our efforts to promote the full integration of people with disabilities, and those that want to maintain the status quo. This included 14 state Medicaid directors.

Now, CMS and the Obama administration need to hear from us!

We need to tell them that they have waited long enough to issue the final rules implementing the Community First Choice Option! They need to hear that we support a STRONG definition of community that distinguishes between REAL integration and segregated settings masquerading as community!

Using this link ( http://ly.adapt.org/cms ), send emails to CMS and the White House telling them that it's time they release these rules! You are sending email directly to the new CMS Administrator, key staff at HHS, and the White House.

Feel free to personalize your message. You can share your own story, talk about the importance of freedom, or point out that as everyone else celebrates the holidays, Americans with disabilities and older Americans remain needlessly stuck in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and institutions for mental disease because CMS hasn't got the job done. 

Whether it's wonky or personal, SEND A MESSAGE NOW! Then forward this email to other folks and urge them to take action too!

We wish the best to you during this season of many holidays and thank you for working to end the institutional bias all year long! 

Together, we will FREE OUR PEOPLE!