INDIANA HOME CARE TASK FORCE
5420 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220
(800) 201-1210

You can help ensure 50 percent of the $4 billion tobacco funds will support long term care alternatives and prescription drug assistance.

Over the next quarter-century, Indiana will receive over $4 billion as part of the federal tobacco settlement. The influx of such a massive amount money has many groups organizing to secure a portion of these funds. The Indiana Home Care Task force is concerned that, unless we mobilize THIS WEEK, it is not clear that Indiana’s elderly and disabled populations will benefit from this settlement.

This would be a massive injustice. The entire basis for the lawsuit was that, because tobacco companies knew they were selling a product which was both addictive and dangerous, and were withholding the dangers of their product from the public, they were obligated to share the cost of care for victims of tobacco-related illnesses. Yet, without public input, our state government may spend this money for programs unrelated to caring for those victimized by tobacco use.

On December 13, 14, and 15, Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon and Indiana Attorney General Jeffrey Modisett will hold public hearings so the public can voice their priorities for use of this money.

IT IS IMPERATIVE those of us concerned about the well-being of Indiana's senior and disabled population attend these hearings and testify about the importance of using tobacco funds for long term care options and prescription drug assistance. Most of us are familiar with the waiting lists caused by Indiana's refusal to adequately fund CHOICE and other home care

services, and know of people who must choose between buying medicine and buying food or paying utilities. Therefore, the Indiana Home Care Task Force recommends that a full 50 percent of tobacco monies be used for:

Please plan now to attend one or more of next week’s hearings. If you or someone you know has suffered from the lack of funding for alternatives to nursing home care, or is burdened by the cost of prescription medicines, please share your story with our public officials. If you or a loved one has benefitted from CHOICE or other home care programs, this is your chance to let officials know how these services benefit our state. If you are in the business of providing home and community-based long term care services, please share your and your clients’ stories - and encourage your clients and their families to share their stories, too.

Even if you have never spoken at a public hearing, and are not used to public speaking, please testify. You do not need to be polished or be an expert on policy questions. You just need to be sincere and concerned and honest. Be yourself.

IF YOU DO NOT LIVE NEAR ONE OF THE HEARING LOCATIONS, it is especially important that you find time to attend one of next week's hearings. Many in your community will never receive notice of these hearings. You have the opportunity to represent your neighbors before these state officials. When you speak, please let the officials at the hearing know where you live, and how you made an extra effort to attend that hearing.

This opportunity will not return to us. Please insist on speaking, even if officials attempt to limit the number of citizens who testify at the hearings. Next week will be crucial in shaping the future of long term care in Indiana.

Hearings will be held from 6 to 7:30 PM at the following locations:

December 14 in NE Indiana
"Old" Lutheran Center Building,
Library (4th Floor)
3024 Fairfield Avenue, Fort Wayne
(This is the "old" Lutheran Hospital in downtown Fort Wayne,
NOT the new building on Jefferson Blvd.)
(219) 458-2644