91 protesters arrested at White House

[proud2BlibKansan]

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Park Police say they have arrested 91 protesters in front of the White House, including some in wheelchairs who chained themselves to a fence.

The protesters are calling on the president to support legislation that would give people with disabilities in need of long-term care alternatives to nursing homes.

Sgt. David Schlosser says a large group gathered on a sidewalk outside the White House on today without a protest permit required for groups of more than 25 demonstrators.

He says some protesters are in wheelchairs and have chained themselves to a fence. Police may use a bolt-cutter to cut the chains.

The protesters are receiving written citations from officers, but are not being handcuffed or taken to a detention facility.
http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/18218

[eleny]

1. Medicaid use to pay for 24 hour in-home care

And Medicare used to pay for ongoing home health care for minimal services like helping with showers, light cleaning and shopping. Often plenty enough to keep someone in their homes. Not nearly as costly as nursing home care. Now it's only permitted after a hospital stay and for a short time.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. This health care issue is not going to go away.

I hope our president and reps are listening.

[eleny]

3. I'd like to see a return to the those service options...

....of people being able to stay in their own homes for as long as it's safe and the government being able to save money using the old solutions.

I was a caseworker in NYC back in the early 70s and the only one in a "DAB" unit - services for the Disabled Aged & Blind. I initiated and maintained ongoing home services for my clients. I'll never forget one man who was bed ridden in a hospital bed at home with 3 caregivers who worked 8 hour shifts. He also had visiting nurse services. At the time, that was less costly than 24 hour nursing home care.

[Dappleganger]

4. This move by Medicare

has forced thousands of people into nursing homes who have no business being there and greatly reduced their prognosis and quality of life. We went through this first-hand with my mother and eventually my sister and I had to pay out of our own pockets for someone to come and help her because my father was so awful at it (neither of us live near them). We really could not afford it and that was money that we could be using right NOW with us being out of work.

[eleny]

5. We had that for my parents when they lived here with us

When my parents lived on their own in another state, they could not have managed in their own home without it. When their health got worse, they moved here just around the time Medicare stopped paying. So until I retired we paid for some services privately.

[northofdenali]

6. It's a heartbreaking problem.

I stayed home with my father-in-law for 6 years because his dementia/Alzheimers was progressive. HE couldn't even get Medicare/Medicaid for in-home care - NOT ONE DIME - because he was living with us! So, instead, I had to be out of work for 4 full years and believe me, after that amount of time off work, TRY getting a job, any job, at age 54.

The healthcare/disabled care/elder care system in this country (and I use "system" very loosely) is pathetic. Those decrying "Canandian-style" health care should talk to a few of their northern neighbors. I especially like the "long waiting periods" argument. Those using that argument are welcome to live in Alaska if they'd like to experience some pitifully inadequate health care!