Great letter to the editor

Hi,

My friend Nancy wrote this and got it published in her paper. I think it's good:

May 9, 2005
Letter to the Editor:
There?s something rotten in Denmark. Changes in the Medicaid bill that are set to take place a year from January are going to affect the people who can least afford it?those people with disabilities such as the old and the mentally ill who are dual recipients of both Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid will no longer pay for their medications. These will be turned over to Medicare, and will include a deductible and a co-payment. Many people on limited income such as Social Security Disability and SSI will not be able to afford this money and therefore will be unable to afford the medicine that keeps them well. This is a huge problem that will cause untold misery for many families, and finally will cost more money to taxpayers because of the disruption in family life that it will cause. People who have previously been able to live on their own and work part-time will not have the medicine that keeps them well. It is lucky that we have built more jails in the state of Texas, because that is where the most of the disabled will end up. This is NOT what a country that boasts of family values is all about! We brag about taking care of our own, but turning people who already are dealing with monumental problems and illness out into the street is not the way to do that. Please write your congressman or congresswoman about this unacceptable situation.

Nancy Fitz-Gerald Viens