TennCare cuts could make living with disabilities harder
By TAJUANA CHESHIER
tcheshier@jacksonsun.com
Mar 14 2005

Independence has its cost.

And Glen Barr, executive director of the Jackson Center for Independent Living, can just about put a price tag on it.

He was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a $43,000 custom made van to accommodate his wheelchair, his home has all of the modifications he needs to get around and a doctor's visit doesn't usually break his wallet.

But he's not worried about himself.

Instead his concern is the hundreds he serves.

''Our concern is the possibility that people with disabilities will lose their TennCare coverage or have their benefits cut back,'' Barr said.

JCIL provides services for about 450 people, which includes the deaf and disabled. Ninety-five percent of the agency's clients receive Social Security benefits and are low income, he added.

The cost of living with a disability could increase with possible TennCare cuts facing more than 320,000 people on the program.

''Most people don't realize they could be cut off,'' said Tony Garr, executive director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, headquartered in Nashville.

''A few disabled people who have Social Security will stay on the program but will be subject to the limits of the program that require a situation be a medical necessity, and that the provider gives what is least costly and only what is adequate,'' Garr said.

To inform the public, Garr and advocates working to save the TennCare program will be in Jackson at the NAACP headquarters to talk about the issues.

In January, Gov. Phil Bredesen announced the state was trimming 323,000 people from TennCare rolls by 2006 in an effort to slow escalating costs. The case is on hold in federal court.

Bredesen has told The Jackson Sun that he has a three-part strategy to reform TennCare that includes establishing a real managed care system, avoiding hitting any brick walls and getting away from court orders that block the state from reducing many benefits.

''I think it just baffles them (the people of Tennessee) that the governor will cut them off, but that is exactly what he wants to do,'' said Garr, who believes the biggest loss for TennCare recipients will be the loss of prescription drug coverage.

''Most people don't have the resources to pay for their medications,'' Garr said. ''Of the 1.3 million on TennCare, only 17,000 are twice above the poverty level. Most of the people, 121,000, are below poverty or near poverty.''

Poverty for a family of three, Garr explained, is about $1,300 a month.

Obtaining health insurance for a disabled person is difficult and costly, but being disabled is not an illness, Barr said.

''It costs more overall to live with disability,'' he said. ''From home modifications, which cost between $5,000 to $10,000, to transportation, it is very expensive.''

And it doesn't help that JCIL lost $10,000 in state funding for home modification in last year's budget.

''That hurt, and we've really had to tighten up,'' Barr said. ''Our waiting list for home modification is long, very long.''

Home modifications include adding an entrance ramp, a grab bar in the bathroom and widening narrow doorways in residences, he explained.

People on a fixed income ''have adjusted as much as they can,'' said Barr about his TennCare cut concerns. ''I've seen us take big steps backwards over the years.''

Barr hopes that finding more profitable fund-raisers will help the center serve more people with disabilities and that residents with disabilities who are concerned about TennCare cuts will contact the organization.

Visit talkback.jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.

- Tajuana Cheshier, (731) 425-9758

What to know

The Drive to Save Lives Event in Jackson will be held at the NAACP Headquarters at 27 Brentshire Square in Jackson from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday.
For TennCare questions, contact JCIL at (731) 668-2211.

BACK

HELEN COMER/The Jackson Sun -
Glen Barr, executive director with the Jackson Center for Independent Living, works in his office on Hollywood Drive. Barr is concerned with how cuts in TennCare affect recipients with disabilities.