Action Report

The larger group stormed the offices of the American Medical Association (AMA) packing the halls with hundreds of advocates from around the country. ADAPT demanded that the AMA support MiCASSA and ensure that people are given community based options before they are discarded in a nursing homes.

The AMA responded with a letter addressing ADAPT demands and passed out copies to all the assembled advocates. The letter, however, did not address some basic concerns and it was necessary for the AMA to do several drafts of the letter with the help of ADAPT.

Ultimately, the AMA "adapted" the letter to satisfy ADAPT. The AMA made some material agreements to include ADAPT in their process to support legislation and they will consider MiCASSA. They also agreed to meet with ADAPT to write a policy that will ensure community options before institutionalization.

Meanwhile, in a residential neighborhood in Virginia, about 80 ADAPT activists were at the front door of the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development demanding he make good on his promise to meet with ADAPT. Secretary Andrew Cuomo his family were not at home during the action.

Obviously, HUD should not stand in the way of people moving out of nursing homes to find housing in the community. Yet, for more than a year, Cuomo and HUD officials had failed to schedule a meeting with ADAPT to discuss the needed changes that expanded community housing options will require.

Father Joe Hacala and Amy Wilkerson from HUD were given full authority to commit Cuomo to a meeting with ADAPT at the end of July. Between the lines, Hacala's letter assures that HUD will not delay a meeting with ADAPT with excuses.

Reunited at the end of day, ADAPT met for what the advocates call "the big meeting." "Today was incredible," said Mike Auberger, "two hits, two wins."

Check back tomorrow to see where ADAPT will strike.

Check back tomorrow to see where ADAPT will strike.