May 20, 2009

The 81^st Texas Legislative Session is winding down and we are in the middle of a sprint to the finish.  I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all of the hard work of so many people to send a clear message to Legislators to Reform Long Term Care Services in Texas by ending the institutional bias and the waiting lists for community services and supports.

We worked diligently to get a bill out of legislature that would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a strategic plan to down size state institutions and re-direct resources to fund the waiting lists.  Champions like Representative Patrick Rose, Senator Rodney Ellis and Senator Judith Zaffirini pushed very hard for reform in the face of brutal resistance.  Today, a very watered down version of a bill passed out of the House Human Services Committee that will call for a long term strategic plan for reform, yet takes out the strong language to close any facilities.  Yesterday a lengthy “conditions” bill came out of the legislature that attempts to ensure the safety of those living in state institutions.  The bill calls for independent monitoring of institutions, cameras in common areas and increased accountability of perpetrators of abuse.  Community Now! supports safety for all people no matter where they choose to live, but this bill which appears to be an attempt to appease the Department of Justice does not go far enough to safeguard the rights of institutionalized people to live in the most integrated setting.  Further with what seems to be weekly reports of horrific abuses in Texas' institutions, our Legislators still think they can throw money to fix a problem that is not fixable. 

Yesterday the Haseeb Chishty Resolution to allow Texas Sovereign Immunity to be waived to allow the family to sue the state passed out of the Texas House.  We will all have to work diligently to get this Resolution through the Senate with all haste!  Haseeb was horrifically beaten by a state institution employee at the Denton institution almost 7 years ago.  As a result of this violent assault, Hasseb has lost his ability to walk, speak and is tube fed.  Although Haseeb is finally home with his loving family, he continues to require additional services not offered by the state.  This Resolution (HCR 22) if passed will be a victory for Haseeb and his family’s quest for justice.  Stay tuned and stand ready to make calls, visits and emails to Senators as this Resolution hopefully flies through the Senate. 

There appears to be a huge win for Texans on waiting lists and for those choosing to leave state institutions in the Texas budget.  The budget process should wind down in the upcoming days and I look forward to reporting a major success.  More to come on this as well!

Again, I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, your time to attend Rallies and your passion to end the blight and shame of institutions in Texas and fight for the freedom that so many desire and are denied. 

Choose Freedom,

Jeff