Wrong motivation for care of the mentally disabled

Don Schanche has been a reporter in Macon that always covered health care and disability issues well. Here is a recent article that attempts to make sense of the different points of view from all of those invested in the issue of closing institutions.

The conversation about what's best for the mentally disabled is almost schizophrenic. Advocates for the disabled come down on both sides of the fence when talking about the expected closure of Central State Hospital. Some say the clients will do better in a community setting rather than being institutionalized. Others aren't so sure. And both sides are wary that the funding to support the mentally disabled, no matter what the setting, will be cut, if not immediately, sometime in the future...At the very least, the state has to have services in place before institutions are shuttered. If it does not we could very well see our homeless and prison population rise again.

Macon Telegraph 10/25/2005 Wrong motivation for care of the mentally disabled

Don Schanche writes another piece on Central State

This time Mr/ Schanche attempted to cover the different points of view from all the parties affected by the transition.

Macon Telegraph | 10/23/2005 | Multiple interest groups involved in Central State debate

Plans to cut Medicaid, Medicare don't add up

Doctors would be big winners under the bill. It would set aside $11 billion to forestall a 4.4 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians that it is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

An additional $800 million would help parents with severely disabled children retain Medicaid coverage and still earn wages above the poverty line.

Welcome to AJC! | ajc.com: "An additional $800 million would help parents with severely disabled children retain Medicaid coverage and still earn wages above the poverty line. "

From the Washington Post today

States Freeze, Reduce Medicaid Payments


All 50 states froze or reduced Medicaid payments to health care providers such as doctors and hospitals while 43 states targeted drug costs this year, and more cost controls are on the way, according to a survey.
The measures helped states slow growth in Medicaid spending and enrollment for the third straight year, according to the survey of state directors of the government health care program for the poor, released today by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. As a result, the gap between increases in Medicaid spending and the growth of state tax revenue narrowed to its lowest level since 1999.
The success in slowing cost increases to a pace closer to growth of tax revenue is emboldening states to plan more cuts, the survey found.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902149.html

Macon Telegraph | 10/14/2005 | Leaders say Central State closings would harm clients, workers

Don Schanche wrote a piece on October 14th entitled, "Leaders say Central State closings would harm clients, workers" on the proposed transition of person currently living in Central State to community based supports in the Macon Telegraph.

He writes, "the proposal to close three units of Central State Hospital would cut as many as 500 jobs, throw mentally disabled clients to the mercy of the streets and add to the jail and prison population, a group of state and local leaders said Thursday...The state Department of Human Resources has proposed closing the Craig Nursing Home and the Allen and Freeman buildings in the coming fiscal year, which begins in July. Clients would be moved to "appropriate community settings," according to the proposal. DHR officials say it is more cost-effective and often more appropriate to serve mentally disabled people in their home communities...

The points the article raises include:

1. There aren't enough community supports.
2. These persons will end up in our state's jails.
3. Closing these facilities will be economically devastating for Milledgeville.
4. No one else wants to serve these individuals.

To read the article, click here:Macon Telegraph 10/14/2005 Leaders say Central State closings would harm clients, workers:

Please consider writing a letter to the editor by going to Unlock's Letter to the Editor webpage. We have included tips on writing letters, as well as some background information you can include in your letter.

Georgia GOP casting wide net for legislative proposals

Sometimes we need to look at other states for why things are being introduced in our own state.
Think tanks are good place to look to find ideas, such as the Heritage Foundation and The American Legislative Exchange Council offers conservative approaches to issues affecting state governments.

"As we go into more managed care for Medicaid, we'll be looking up at Tennessee's TennCare as a way not to do it,'' said Johnson. "With tort reform, we were able to watch Texas and Florida and see where they got bogged down and made mistakes.''

gwinnettdailypost.com

Gingrich calls for major changes in health care, politics

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich sounded more like Newt Gingrich, M.D., on Friday, diagnosing major ailments in the way the government handles everything from health care to electing presidents, and prescribing major changes to cure them.

His health plan calls for Americans to be able to store and refer to health records online, setting up personal savings and reimbursement accounts, and changing prescription insurance coverage.

Though the topic was health care, the backdrop, as usual in the earliest primary state, was politics.

...if I go and I articulate these ideas and people like them, but the candidates don't pick them up, then probably, I'll run," he said.

AccessNorthGa.com - North Georgia's Newsroom

House GOP Vows Broad Cuts in Spending

House Republican leaders raised the stakes this week in a looming budgetary showdown, pledging to lift the target of entitlement cuts from $35 billion to $50 billion, impose across-the-board spending cuts and rescind spending already approved -- all to offset the cost of hurricane relief.

The move, announced at a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Thursday night, would cut tens of billions of dollars from entitlement programs for the poor, such as Medicaid, but could touch virtually every aspect of government.

House GOP Vows Broad Cuts in Spending

Natalie Tumlin passes away: Natalie was one of Georgia's Strongest Advocates for Disability Issues

Natalie's impact on Georgia is one in that we all aspire. Her efforts with her mom, Beth Tumlin, have had a lasting impact on services in Georgia for people with disabilities. We will truly miss her smiles and voice.

Other stories include:
AJC: Natalie Tumlin, 30, advocate for disabled

Marietta Daily: Natalie Tumlin, advocate for disabled, dies at 30

Below is a note from Natalie's mom, Beth:


Dear Friends, Family, Supporters, and Cheerleaders!

After consulting with the three physicians who had worked with Natalie over the past five weeks (our very caring Infectious Disease Specialist, the Gastroenterologist, and a Cardiologist), they all concurred that Natalie's immune system and nutritional status were not strong enough to pull her through the most recent infection that had gone to her heart.

Natalie and her family left Northside Hospital and moved a few blocks away into Vitas Hospice Home on Wednesday, September 28th. We smothered her with love, and they kept her pain free throughout the following three days. We were so grateful for this wonderful place that allowed the entire family total access with as much privacy as we needed. We had a birthday party for Bill in her room, and showed her the slide presentation (with some of her favorite music) that Tracy and her fiance, Darryl, had started preparing for her 30th birthday bash, and have finished for our Celebration of her life. We laughed with her, we recalled fun moments, we talked about so many of the very special people in her life who had helped her and/or brought her joy, and we thanked her for being in our lives.

Our sweet Natalie passed away very peacefully Saturday afternoon, October 1st, at 4:30 pm.

Her family would like for you to join us in Celebrating Natalie's Life on Tuesday, October 4th, 2005, anytime between 4:00 - 8:00pm, at our home at 5231 Rebel Road, Marietta, GA 30068-4721 (go to Mapquest.com). As Natalie would have loved it, this is a very informal and casual event to remember the fun and wonderful times we all shared with her. Because it is an Open House type affair, there will not be a designated time for sharing, but if you have fun stories or an experience that you would like to share with the family and others who attend, please bring with you (or e-mail: btumlin@comcast.net or fax to 770 640-1287 if you can't attend) just a paragraph or two that we can post on a board for all to enjoy.

Because time is short, and Natalie had so many friends who knew and loved her, we would truly appreciate it if you would call or forward this invitation to friends, families, and associates we have in common. I don't want to miss folks cause their e-mail has changed (or if we knew them before e-mail was invented!) Thank you for your help.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to either:

G.C.S.S. - The agency that provided the supports for Natalie to live independently in the community the past six years. GCSS provides supports to over 1200 individuals and their families with a variety of services;
- or -
Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign - The Campaign we started in 1998 to eliminate Georgia's Waiting Lists for people with disabilities who need services in their
homes and communities, rather than institutions and nursing homes. To date, almost 3000 people have received services; however, 6000 others are still waiting!

Georgia Community Supports & Solutions (G.C.S.S.)
Attn: Carol Redman
1945 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 220
Atlanta, GA 30329

Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign
Attn: Dave Blanchard
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324


We will look forward to seeing y'all on Tuesday.

Bill, Beth, Jennifer & Mike, Tracy & Darryl
Natalie's Family

Bill & Beth Tumlin’s home: 5231 Rebel Road, Marietta, GA 30068-4721

Unlock Hosts introductions around the state on disability services

In collaboration with a number of organizations and advocates in your community, the Unlock the Waiting Lists Campaign presents an educational event we know you will want to put on your calendar: “Medicaid 101: An Introduction to Disability Supports in Georgia.” Speakers will include Dottie Adams, Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and Dr. Steve Hall, DHR’s Director for the Office of DD. Local state legislators are also invited.

For more information go to:
http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/medicaid101.html