Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 7/6 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, July 6 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: We'll discuss the draft letter to the legislature regarding our opinion about the shutdown and/or special session.  We'll also start putting together a group to perform the strategic planning and creating the more formal legal structure/existence for our group.  Everyone is welcome!  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- assuring the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom -- instead of voting to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence.  Support equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone!

Scent-Free and Safe Spaces:  Please remember that all our activities are scent-free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

FUTURE MEETINGS: We'll meet 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on July 13th and 20th at the Griggs-Midway Building.

Personal Story: Living Life with having to depend on Personal Care Attendants!

I have lived in Minnesota for over 30 years, coming from ND and I lived in many institutions in my time. Some institutions were very bad and some not so bad.

My dream was always to live independently, but had so many people against it. Some were afraid that I couldn’t live by myself or they knew I could do it, but were afraid I would be bored and hate it and I would have to wait for a while to get back into an institution again.

Much to people’s dismay, I loved living independently and loved my own independence.

I couldn’t have done it without the help of the Personal Care Attendant Program. Without this wonderful program a lot of people would be stuck in some type of nursing home.  

Now my husband and I live together and we use shared PCA services.

My husband, Jim built our home from ground up in 1996. We both have very involved cerebral palsy. although we are very active people. We can be very active because of our Personal Care Attendants. Without these people, we would not be able to live in the community. We would be in nursing homes rotting away and costing taxpayers a lot more money.

Many of us (people with disabilities) are taxpayers, too. Having these attendants is not a luxury, it is a necessity! If the state starts cutting our hours you are taking away our willingness to live!

This Personal Care Attendant Program allows us to be a part of society in which we live in. We are able to work, go on vacations and all that a person would do if they didn’t have a disability.

~Claudia Carlisle

Minnesota Government Shutdown Activities Thursday

There are several government shutdown events going on from 10 a.m. until midnight Thursday that ADAPT members (especially as informed Minnesota citizens) may wish to participate in as a show of solidarity and active citizen participation even though the events are not directly organized or sponsored by ADAPT...

1.      Invest in Minnesota Action at 10 a.m. [ More Information on the Web ] [ More Information on Facebook ]

2.      Welfare Rights Committee Action at Noon [ More Information on Facebook ]

3.      USuncutMN FIGHT BACK!  Minnesota!  Shutdown Eve Parade and Rally at 1:30 p.m. [ More Information on the Web ] [ More Information on Facebook ]

4.      MAPE Pre-Vigil Cookout at 6:30 p.m. [ More Information on the Web ]

5.      AFSCME / MAPE Shutdown Eve Vigil at 9:00 p.m. [ Flyer from AFSCME ] [ More Information from MAPE ]

NATIONAL ADAPT: Say "NO" to Massive Medicaid Cuts, Block-Granting

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Contact Representative Bachmann, Representative Ryan, and Speaker Boehner to say "NO" to massive Medicaid cuts and block-granting. 

ACTION OPTIONS:

·         Most Effective Yet More Time-Consuming: Call the following US Congressional Officials:

o   Representative Bachmann -- 202-225-2331 / 651-731-5400

o   Representative Ryan -- 202-225-3031

o   Speaker Boehner -- 202-225-6205

o   Senator Hatch -- 202-224-5251

o   Senator Baucus -- 202-224-2651

o   Your US Representatives and Senators

·         Less Effective Yet Less Time-Consuming:

o   Generic Fax, Letter, or E-mail Generator to US Representatives

o   Generic Fax, Letter, or E-mail Generator to US Senators

MORE INFORMATION:

·         US Representatives Action

·         US Senators Action

NATIONAL ADAPT: Urge Speaker Boehner to Meet with ADAPT

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Contact Speaker Boehner to urge him to meet with ADAPT.

ACTION OPTIONS:

·         Most Effective Yet More Time-Consuming: Telephone Speaker Boehner at both his Troy, Ohio and Washington, D.C. offices [Talking Points]

o   Troy, Ohio Office:  937-339-1524

o   Washington, D.C. Office:  202-225-6205

·         Less Effective Yet Less Time-Consuming: Generic Letter or E-mail Generator

MORE INFORMATION

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 6/29 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 29 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: We will discuss our thoughts around the awards ceremony for the Governor.  What went well?  What could be improved next time?  Everyone is welcome!  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- assuring the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom -- instead of voting to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence.  Support equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone!

Scent-Free and Safe Spaces:  Please remember that all our activities are scent-free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

Personal Story: The Impact of Previous Years' PCA Service Cuts (Jim Carlisle)

To Whomever Has The Power:

Living independently would be impossible for my wife, Claudia, and I without the help of the Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) who allow us to stay in our own home and be a part of the taxpaying community. This is why it is so frustrating to hear about possible additional cuts in PCA rates and hours.

Many legislators say that they will not raise taxes. Yet, in 2009 they reduced the rate of PCA Services by 2.75% and in 2010 there were similar cuts. And now this year the State is threatening to make a third reduction in PCA Services. In reality, this is equivalent to more than a 6% GROSS REVENUE tax on PCA providers. Income taxes are usually imposed on NET PROFIT. If the State would put a 6% gross revenue tax on all industries in Minnesota, three things would happen:

1. The State hoppers would be overflowing.
2. Most State industries would be bankrupt.
3. Many legislators wouldn’t be re-elected.

Do you realize that a 6% cut in gross revenue equates to a 70% reduction in an already low net margin? On top of this, the Department of Human Services has implemented many new required regulations on PCA Services that take additional administration staff to achieve compliance. Thus, the State Legislature is asking for much more work for much less pay in the PCA Industry that cares for:

1. Some of the most vulnerable Minnesota Citizens in the State.
2. Minnesota Citizens who must live below poverty income levels to receive PCA and medical services.
3. Minnesota citizens who need reliable quality care by reasonably paid care givers.

PCA care givers are among the lowest paid employees in Minnesota and are expected to be reliable, responsible and honest, working independently in private homes. They also must be intelligent enough to deal with complex physical and mental disorders along with keeping track of hours worked, employment limitations, and timesheet requirements to satisfy the State Auditors. State reimbursement rates and county care assessments dictate that all this must be done with no morning and afternoon breaks, no sick pay, no vacation pay, and no other fringe benefits. And now these dedicated care givers will have to take an hourly wage reduction if the State slashes reimbursement rates further.

The thousands of PCAs employed in Minnesota are helping to drive the economy by spending their entire meager wages within the State and, therefore, should not be penalized with wage cuts. Minnesotans, who probably spend some earnings on yearly out-of-state vacations, should be able to make ample (federally tax deductible) contributions to protect the State’s vulnerable citizens with decently compensated care givers. Please put your full support behind this critical need for quality PCA services.

Thank you,

Jim Carlisle

Public Accountant