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May 2, 2012

Wyle Jailed for Activism

Noah Wyle is well known for appearing in the TV series “ER”, but he was jailed for showing his support in Medicaid protests on Capitol Hill.  He was among several advocates who used wheelchairs expressing concern.  Those activists in the wheelchairs were members of the organization ADAPT and lead the protests.

“Cutting or changing Medicaid without thoughtful reform has very real life or death consequences for people with disabilities and people who are aging who live on fixed incomes that are significantly below the poverty level,” said Marsha Katz who traveled from Montana to participate in the ADAPT actions. “Washington should be putting our tax dollars into cost-saving community based services, not costly nursing homes or institutions.”

Representatives for the Capitol Police state 76 people were arrested because of the protests.  They were charged with unruly behavior and demonstrating at the Capitol.  Activists didn’t leave the Capitol area when asked causing the arrests.

Members of ADAPT are showing anger over a Republican proposal that slashes federal Medicaid income.  This proposal would also slash Medicaid benefits to community-based residences but give more money to nursing homes.  Wyle is presently an activist for universal health care which was his reasoning for joining the protests.



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