Letter to the editor: Saving Medicaid

To the editor:

Medicaid is often constructed by politicians and the news media as an entitlement for the poor and those who are unwilling to work. There is another side to Medicaid, though.

According to a 2016 NPR report, up to 40 percent of long-term care costs are paid by Medicaid, and this percentage is predicted to increase.

Just visit any of the nursing homes in Lawrence and you will find a mix of people who are there for different reasons. Some are young, some are old and some are very old. The residents did a variety of things in their lives from being stay-at-home mothers to holding professional positions. None of them chose or planned to have a stroke that rendered them immobile or to be stricken with Parkinson’s disease or to have dementia or to need care just because they are old. Every one of the residents need the skilled care provided by these facilities. Some, are fortunate enough to be able to pay the costs of long-term care. Many, however, rely on Medicaid to help pay for the care provided. They are not cheating the system. They are our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, friends and neighbors. They are Republicans and Democrats. Any one of us is just a stroke, accident or bad gene away from needing long-term care — and perhaps Medicaid — ourselves.

Call and write to Sen. Jerry Moran and Sen. Pat Roberts. Tell them to reject Trumpcare. Slashing Medicaid to provide for the rich is outrageous.