-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 1:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Event to Mark Kick Off Medicaid Reform Legislation


For immediate release

                Contact: Bob Kafka 512/431-4085  or Marcie Roth (703)
525-3406
                Stephanie Thomas 512/442-0252  [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
                Senator Harkin's office 202/224-3254
                Senator Specter's office 202/224-4254

Event to Mark Kick Off Medicaid Reform Legislation

As part of a national Campaign for Real Choice in long term care, a
coalition of MiCASSA Supporters will hold a press event Wednesday May
3rd,
as part of a national network of events in over 30 locations, including
the
nation's Capitol.

This event marks the kick off for national legislation, S. 1935, the
Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act,  MiCASSA,
co-sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Arlen Specter
(R-
Pennsylvania).  MiCASSA would level the Medicaid long term care playing
field by ending the funding bias toward nursing homes and other
institutions.  MiCASSA would allow the money to follow the eligible
individual who could choose to receive services in the community instead
of
being forced into an institution or nursing home.

The event will include a 50 plus site national telephone address by
Senator
Tom Harkin and Senator Arlen Specter.  A press conference will follow
the
address.  We are pleased to tell you that the press conference will be
attended by over 1000 advocates at over 50 national teleconference sites
from Florida to Alaska and from to Maine to Utah!

In Washington DC the Kick Off Event is scheduled for:

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2000  12 Noon
Room 188  Russell Senate Office Building

"This Campaign for Real Choice 2000 event will show Congress and the
Presidential candidates the community's overwhelming desire for
fundamental
reform of the Medicaid long term care system." said event organizer Mike
Auberger.  "Over four hundred and ninety organizations from across the
nation have officially endorsed MiCASSA."

Attached is a list of the organizations which officially support
MiCASSA.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION on American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today
(ADAPT)
        Please visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/

For direct inquiries regarding this press release please use the contact
    information at the beginning of this message or Email
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