09/15/2014 PRESS ALERT: For Information:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brenda Stinebuck (501) 624-7710Bruce Darling (585) 370-6690 Fran Fulton (267) 275-4479 Jerry Costley (801) 347-0370 WHO: ADAPTWHAT: ADAPT THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR MEETING WITH US AND COMMITS HIS SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY FIRST CHOICE OPTIONWHERE: GOVERNOR MIKE BEBEES CAPITOL OFFICEWHEN: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2104 11:30 AMADAPT, A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS GROUP OF ACTIVISTS WITH DISABILITIES, MET WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING AND OBTAINED HIS PUBLIC SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY FIRST CHOICE OPTION.ADAPT would like to thank Governor Mike Beebe for meeting this morning with a large contingent of our members, speaking directly with Brenda Stinebuck of Arkansas and committing his public support of the Community First Choice Option (CFCO).CFCO would allow all Arkansans who qualify for institutional placement to choose community supports instead. This would end the long waiting list of nearly 3,000 desperate citizens, some of whom have been waiting for over nine years. State officials have developed twelve years of financial projections for implementing CFCO which show that selecting this option will generate savings for the state. This is born out by the experience of other states and studies which have demonstrated that community supports are generally less expensive than institutional placement. This is truly a rare win-win for supporters of civil rights and fiscal conservatives alike. Implementation of CFCO does not require a full vote of the legislature. However, it does require the approval of the Health, Labor and Welfare committee, as well as of Rules and Regulations. In addition to voicing his support, Governor Beebe said he has recommended approval of the CFCO to the legislature and assured ADAPT that he is not behind any efforts to slow or derail approval. The governor also committed to looking into damaging changes in reimbursements to providers in assisting individuals in transitioning from nursing homes to the community. We believe this will help reverse these changes. The governor, noting that he leaves office on December 31, said he was not able to commit to working with ADAPT on long term planning.We believe a strong push from the Governor can overcome the hurdles to implementation of the CFCO. Given the fiscal benefits to the state and the lifesaving benefits to Arkansass citizens we are delighted with the Governors response, said Brenda Stinebuck, Arkansas ADAPT leader. ADAPT members were prepared to stay as long as it took to get the Governors commitment to push for legislative action. However, we are happy that our visit with the Governor was both short and pleasant, said Stinebuck. ***30***
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:30:00 +0000
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