Threats to Medicaid alarm Columbians
Tony Messenger wrote about this on March 1st. Here's his column:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Mar/20050301Feat002.asp
Cindy Eckstein asked me to post her letter. Here it is:
Febuary/21/2005
Cinthia R. Eckstein
To The Honorable Governor Matt Blunt,
Being a life time resident and registered voter of this state, I am writing to express my grave concern over your potentially life threatening proposed cuts to the Medicaid budget.
I am a forty year old woman born with multiple disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy Juvenal Diabetes and Recurrent Depression which was diagnosed later in life because of severe childhood trauma. The Cerebral Palsy was caused from being born three months premature, 3ponds 2onces to be exact.
Unlike yourself sir I have never been able to walk independently. I must depend on a power wheelchair to get from point a to b, the wheelchairs cost as much as a new car. I also have to heir people to do things for me that you take for granted every minute of your life.
Getting out of bed; dressing, cooking and rang of motion which keeps the muscles in my body from shortening and drawing up, it’s very painful.
I would like to know if you –the Governor-are even aware of the damage your so called necessary cuts to Medicaid program will cause...... Your Necessary cuts are more like amputation. They will harm the majority of disabled and elderly Missourians- We will not be able to afford to pay the out of pocket expense of wheel chairs and other life sustaining things ie.. Personal Assistance Services –the (P.A.S.) program, medications, food or rent. In all honesty it’s expensive to have a disability
All the government programs that I MUST DEPEND on: state and or federal just so happen to be Medicaid funded and there is No Other Choice Available!!!!
We are human beings just like you; not numbers dollars and cents.
Governor as you can tell even with multiple disabilities I have a high intellect,
But was born into a middle class farmers family, after my father died from cancer I was forced into the so called welfare system, this was not buy choice.
In closing I would like to state that the Medicaid program is out of funds
And the current system needs to be reformed but Governor please, don’t tell the people.
Ask them how to change it. Missourians are paralyzed with fear because of what you are not saying-HOW.
God Help Us All,
Sincerely Cinthia R. Eckstein
