Angered that Governor Corbett will not meet with them, disability advocates have returned to the Capitol. Many of the demonstrators are Medicaid recipients who say further cuts will force them to live in nursing facilities and institutions.
The activists gathered inside the Capitol Rotunda Monday. Others moved to the hallway outside the Governor's second floor office, closing the ceremonial reception room. Still more went to the offices of the chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee.
Shouting, chanting and whistling were the order of the day. Some demonstrators even tried to pray. All to try to convince the governor to meet with them to discuss solutions to what they call the Medicaid crisis in Pennsylvania.
They say an additional $200 million in federal funds is available that the state has not utilized. Those with disabilities fear that they'll be forced out of community living and into nursing facilities which they contend is much more expensive.
Activist Nancy Selandra says that in nearly three years they've only been granted one meeting with a member of the Governor's staff.
"All we get is met by cops,” explained ADAPT activist Nancy Selandra. “We filled out forms, we've called to get meetings. We get nothing but thrown in the trash every time. So his way of treating people in the state is to totally ignore the constituents of this state."
"He's dismantled a system that there was nothing wrong with it and he hasn't proven it's going to save money,” Selandra continued.
Reports that the protestors were being arrested and removed from the Capitol were unfounded. Many persons in the building appeared unaffected by the more than 300 demonstrators.
Sunday, the activists demonstrated at the Governor's Mansion. They plan to return Tuesday to draw attention to the crisis. They don't plan to leave until talks are held.
The activists gathered inside the Capitol Rotunda Monday. Others moved to the hallway outside the Governor's second floor office, closing the ceremonial reception room. Still more went to the offices of the chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee.
Shouting, chanting and whistling were the order of the day. Some demonstrators even tried to pray. All to try to convince the governor to meet with them to discuss solutions to what they call the Medicaid crisis in Pennsylvania.
They say an additional $200 million in federal funds is available that the state has not utilized. Those with disabilities fear that they'll be forced out of community living and into nursing facilities which they contend is much more expensive.
Activist Nancy Selandra says that in nearly three years they've only been granted one meeting with a member of the Governor's staff.
"All we get is met by cops,” explained ADAPT activist Nancy Selandra. “We filled out forms, we've called to get meetings. We get nothing but thrown in the trash every time. So his way of treating people in the state is to totally ignore the constituents of this state."
"He's dismantled a system that there was nothing wrong with it and he hasn't proven it's going to save money,” Selandra continued.
Reports that the protestors were being arrested and removed from the Capitol were unfounded. Many persons in the building appeared unaffected by the more than 300 demonstrators.
Sunday, the activists demonstrated at the Governor's Mansion. They plan to return Tuesday to draw attention to the crisis. They don't plan to leave until talks are held.