All of the previous links have been moved to a separate page due to the large amount of space that the links covered. Click on the following link to read all of the critical, interesting, and important information entailed in the previous links. 

All links and information posted during the months of January-December 2008

June 2009

• 580 Million gone to waste by our wonderful state leaders
• Millions wasted while providers suffer
• It's a sad day when our Governor condones violence toward disabled individuals
• Governor looks the other way when disabled residents become victims of hate crime
• Tennessee weekly waste
• A must watch...Tennessee officials spending our money as if we are in an economic boom
• Take a stand Governor, you are shutting people down

May 2009

• Family speaks out against TN new protocols
• Disabled workers up for the job
• Lines blurred between levels of care
• A state email sent to the family support providers
• Our Governor and TennCare on a highway to hell?
• Reductions made to 2009-2010 DMRS budget
• Attorney Generals' response to new beds in developmental centers
• All we have to fear... is our leaders' lack of imagination
• This is what happens when services are cut

•    DMRS administration finally takes a hit by 50%, community services gets cut by 12% which equals 9 million dollars for the next fiscal year. The Governor stated TennCare would not take any cuts….. SO HOW does he explain DMRS Waiver which receives some TennCare allocations?????  And 7.4 million for ICF/MR facilities in Memphis…. Commissioner stated he would not slate these homes as ICF/MR.  Another LIE!  For the 2008-2009 fiscal year the administration quadrupled.  From 343,000 to 3,287,000 no wonder we took a 6.1% hit, they needed to pad their pockets…..Look on page 191.
• Working for Health Care Justice
• It looks like Tennessee ranks last again....thanks Phil
• Almost 2 million folks without insurance...thank you Phil
• Tennessee girl dies due to denial of TN CARE services 2005 due to TNCare budget cuts
• TN state budget
• Get ready to expect some cuts…be sure to read page 2 of the article
• TN Governor to mismanage Obama stimulus money slated for the state’s Medicaid fund
• TN halts removal of disabled clients
• Nashville DD center sues state
• Nashville developmental center sues state
• TN DD center sues state

February 2009

State of TN gets it handed to them with their "motion to vacate" being denied

Our Governor is under attack
Our Governor realizes the truth

If he removed hundreds of thousands of Tennessee residents from Tenncare then just multiply our figure by 50 and you can get a good idea of what kind of job he would do as the Health and Human Services Secretary. 

Working for Health Care Justice

January 2009

Sonnenschein Wins Agreement in Landmark Civil Rights Class Action

Sonnenschein, in conjunction with Equip for Equality, Access Living and the ACLU, has announced a groundbreaking agreement in a class action lawsuit brought against the State of Illinois for its ongoing violation of the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities.  The agreement, when approved by the court, will bring justice to people with developmental disabilities, giving them the choice to receive long-term care services in integrated community settings.  As a result, they no longer will be compelled to live in segregated institutions in order to receive the services they require.

 "People With Developmental Disabilities Celebrate Agreement with State of Illinois in Landmark Lawsuit".
"Sonnenschein Secures Pro Bono Class Action Victory for Disabled Clients"

"Accord Ends Lawsuit Over Housing for Disabled"

Stealing from the poor and giving to the folks listed in the table at the top of the main page

TN budget doubles in two decades

Cuts in Family Support Program begin to hurt

We received the following information from a very reliable source via email. 

"Evidently, some conservators of class members have called the ARC to ask for an advocate and they were told they should not be calling them and that it was the ISC's job to send referrals if needed and that they should be doing their job. However, the ISCs--and the rest of the world for that matter --  just received the form and information on how to do that.  What a wonderful  way to transition conservators and families to the change!"

Rumor has it that The ARC of TENNESSEE’s is looking for a new director…..This exit includes a welcome at DMRS…..Now whose team have they been playing on all this time???   Must be the one the referee’s were on a few weeks ago at the Titans game.  One can wonder how they have really advocated for the people when they have been in bed with the state all this time……  Great BETRAYAL!!!  I am sure the DMRS supported individuals thank you for your great work on their behalf! 

Provider sends letter to Norris

TN to attempt to minimize budget cuts

Judge rules TN can review TNCare eligibility

LET US ALL TAKE TURNS TUCKING THE ADVOCATES AND DMRS REGIONAL OFFICES INTO THEIR BED, AS THEY SEEM TO BE SHARING THE SAME BEDROOM NOW.

"I just learned that the Arc of TN has hired someone to be their Advocacy Coordinator. This person is a woman that works currently for the DMRS East Tn Regional Office. A very respected agency provider had many bad experiences with her. So it looks even worse for hoping that there might be someone to stand up for people. As if this isn't bad enough, the advocates in the regions will be housed in the DMRS Regional Offices. "

Below is an email sent to us from a concerned citizen...stating the truth.

Dear TN Justice Center,

 I recently sent an email to my [family members'] court monitor.   I am forwarding you a copy and would like to speak with someone from your office.  My parent/guardian friends and I want to be part of the solution.  Please let us know how we can be of service.  People with developmental disabilities are counting on us to resolve and provide.

 Just as the Crabtree Case is against the ADA, so must be the following violations against people with DD and those served by the Medicaid Waiver by DMRS:   unapproved by CMS new DMRS protocols, life-time long waiting list, cuts to agencies who provide direct care, lack of direct care services/necessary equipment, lowering ICAP standardized testing scores without meeting the individual (to cut program),  lowering the "level of need" without meeting the individual, cutting PA hours, not approving needed therapies, bulling families, and much more.

 We have asked CMS to investigate and fact find.  CMS recommended contacting the state Attorney Gen. Office.  It sure would be a lot less expensive for the state to just take care of its individuals on the Waiver.  TN would save tremendously in legal fees and less emergency hospitalizations alone.

Finally, at least someone gets it

What's next ...a DMRS related eharmony.com spin off website for the consumers?

Holy Cow!...The Arc is doing something to help