Bush’s cuts would hurt the vulnerable

Without Medicaid, millions of people like me would not have comprehensive health care. As a disabled citizen I am on Medicare and pay for my own private health-care insurance, but it does not offer prescription drug coverage. My prescription drugs alone are nearing $2,500 a month. Medicaid is essential for me to be able to have these prescriptions.

The Bush administration is planning to cut the Medicaid program. It is going to cut spending by reducing funding for the program’s so-called optional beneficiaries. These people include the sickest, most disabled and oldest of the Medicaid recipients. It includes 3 million seniors, 2 million people with severe chronic disabilities (like me), 5 million children and 6 million low-income working parents.

We need our elected officials to look for ways to improve health-care coverage, not penny-pinch at the expense of our health.

Ellen Dewey

Lynnwood