Wolf action 
Wolf action
On December 6, 2018, PA ADAPT went to Governor Tom Wolf’s office at the same time the Managed Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meets because the managed care agencies and the Office on Long Term Living have not been working with the disability community, and have not been listening to our demands and concerns during the rollout, specifically the transition in the Southeast (who makes up 40% of manage care) to provide Real Choice.
Conveniently, it was our Capitol’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Governor Wolf was scheduled to make an appearance. After two elevators and a small diversion around the Christmas tree, by 10AM all 23 of us were in and outside of Wolf’s office for nearly two hours chanting: “Who do we want? Governor Wolf! When do we want him? Now!” with Capitol police surrounding (and “trying” to control) us.
Louis at Wolf action
“Who do we want? Governor Wolf! When do we want him? Now!”
Signs/theatre at Gov. Wolf action
Before the choir was set to sing Governor Wolf came up to his office and hushed our chanting with his apologizes that managed care is not rolling out smoothly, and that it is his top priority to work with us to fix these problems for all Pennsylvanians receiving long term services and supports. He promised to have next steps specific to our demands sent to us by Tuesday, December 11th.
Inside Gov. Wolf’s office
After we met with the Governor, we marched from the State Capitol over to the Department of Education building – just in time for the public comment section of the MLTSS Subcommittee agenda. Since we had just protested this meeting on November 7th demanding they extend the enrollment period for the Southeast, they were not unfamiliar with our demands. Zack Lewis from Philly ADAPT reminded the managed care organizations and the Office of Long Term Living that, “We will not accept the MCOs & OLTL lack of response to our demands, and to prove it – we just got in from the Governors office who is in full support of our demands and has promised to hold everyone in this room accountable for what’s happening to the disability community in Pennsylvania.”
PA ADAPT DEMANDS OF GOVERNOR WOLF:
- EXTEND THE PERIOD IN WHICH PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE THEIR MCO IN THE SOUTHEAST!
- ACCESS TO THE MINIMAL DATA SET (MDS)!
- KEEP GOOD SUPPORT COORDINATION AGENCIES!
- DRAMATICALLY INCREASE FUNDING TO HOME CARE AGENCIES SO THAT ATTENDANTS CAN EARN A HIGHER WAGE!
Demands of Gov. Wolf
PA ADAPT has not heard a response from Governor Wolf’s office as of Monday, December 10, 2018 but we are eager to hear from him as he promised.