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Nick Dupree's Crusade Pays Off

2006
Dec. 13: Young Nick Dupree Earns Lifetime Advocacy Award
2004
March 29: Alabama Medicaid Policy Blamed For Friend's Death
2003
March 3: Waiver Is Best Birthday Present For Nick Dupree
February 19: Nick's Crusade Pays Off; Advocate Vow's To Continue Struggle For Others

"Nick's Crusade"

Nick's Crusade Pays Off; Advocate Vows To Continue Struggle For Others
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 19, 2003

MOBILE, ALABAMA--Nick Dupree's two-year campaign has paid off, just a few days before his 21st birthday.

Dupree, a student at Spring Hill College, has a rare form of muscular dystrophy that requires him to use a ventilator and a wheelchair. He also receives in-home nursing care paid through Alabama's Medicaid program.

He started "Nick's Crusade", a public awareness campaign, in March 2001 after he learned that the state would not pay for his in-home care once he turns 21. The state would only pay for him to live in a nursing home. Dupree and his family said that was not an option.

Last week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced that the federal government would approve a new program in Alabama that would continue Medicaid funded in-home services for Dupree and 29 other people in his situation and age group -- including Dupree's 18-year-old brother who has the same form of muscular dystrophy.

Thompson's announcement came after National Public Radio ran an in-depth story on Dupree's situation and a number of disability rights advocates announced they were set to protest in front of the White House.

Dupree, who turns 21 this coming Sunday, said he will continue with "Nick's Crusade" so others who need in-home services can stay out of nursing homes and other facilities.

"I plan to keep working on this the rest of my life to make sure that everyone can be safe and live in their community and not locked away in a faraway nursing home, but be involved in their community," he told the Associated Press.

"A Medicaid Victory -- Ala. Youth Wins Battle to Extend Nursing Care for Disabled" (National Public Radio)
http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=974391

"Nick's Crusade"
http://www.nickscrusade.com

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Waiver Is Best Birthday Present For Nick Dupree
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
March 3, 2003

MOBILE, ALABAMA--Nick Dupree turned 21 on February 23.

It was a very happy birthday as 40 or so fellow students from Spring Hill College celebrated with him in true Mardi Gras style. The mood was all the more festive, perhaps, because Nick does not have to move into a nursing home in order to continue receiving the care he needs.

Dupree has a rare form of muscular dystrophy that requires him to use a ventilator and a wheelchair. He is able to live with his family because of in-home nursing care paid through Alabama's Medicaid program. Money for that service was to be cut off by law once he turned 21.

He started "Nick's Crusade" in March 2001 to make the public and lawmakers aware of the situation he and countless others faced.

On February 10, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced that the federal government approved a new program in Alabama that would continue Medicaid funded in-home services for 30 people in his age group -- including Dupree and his 18-year-old brother who has the same form of muscular dystrophy.

"I'm really happy that I could make Medicaid save 29 other people," Dupree told WPMI-TV. "I'm happy about that."

Related articles:
"Family, friends help Nick Dupree celebrate his birthday" (Mobile Register)

http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0303a.htm

"After Conquering Medicaid, Nick's Crusade Continues" (WPMI News)
http://www.wpmi.com/global/story.asp?s=1128224&ClientType=Printable

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