It isn't just missouri~!

[Triciasmom]

This week govenor Rendell proposed his new state budget. Along with a bunch of stuff he has proposed several cuts and caps to the medical assistance programs. According to the newspaper I read yesterday these include a $5000 cap for DME, a limit to 2 acute hospital stays a year, and a new sliding scale that will require parents of criticallyill/disabled children to pay based on wages.

I have already contacted my local representative....who happens to attent my church and is very familiar with my family and our issues. They are getting more information for me so that I can better understand how this might affect us, so that I can better COMPLAIN!!!

PLEASE!@!!! call your local representative and senators!! As we are seeing from our friends in Missouri, these beaurocrats have no concept of what it takes to live with a critically ill child! We must make our voices heard, and loudly!!


Godspeed

Clare

[Melisande]

Clare-

As you said, it isn't just Missouri! That has been my biggest fear. Dubya is cutting federal medicaid too, cost shifting expenses to states.....most states are already in budget crises themselves. No one wants to close corporate loopholes, raise taxes, so cuts HAVE to be made. Medicaid is growing in cost annually nationally. It's prime cut for the chopping block. There's lots of talk about SCHIPS and how important it is, but they haven't put their money where their mouths are. Our kids are at serious risk. Kerry's talking about a plan to cover all kids under 18 and also there's talk about high risk pooling, which would be all of us! We all need to stay education and on the ball with our state and local representatives. I hate to make our kids "freaks" but let me tell you, after going to our state capital and seeing the parade of special needs kids wearing shirts in support of programs, it makes a powerful statement. No one wants to hurt a child, especially a small child with disabilities. I think it's political suicide. Let them try it! NEVER get between parents of special needs kids and their children! It is BAD news! We need to remember our power, because we do have some!

You go, Clare!

Clare,

We live in PA, too and have been reading (and stressing out!) about Rendell's plans. I'd be very interested to hear what specific info you get about these changes so that I can also write some letters. Keep me posted!
Thanks,

Brandy
Gareth's Mom