Restore Medicaid benefits

To the editor:Will our new Medicaid program help or hurt? That the big question. Dozens of disabled people provided advice and testimony to state Sen. Charlie Shields' Medicaid Reform Commission, and some suggestions actually appear in the commission's final report. Still, at this writing we have no idea how much or how little of the commission's findings will be reflected in Gov. Matt Blunt's plan.

The governor has revealed his plan to a select few individuals and organizations, none representing the people directly affected by its contents. Initial information about the plan has been sketch: a focus on prevention, and rewards for healthy choices such as losing weight or quitting smoking.

It's a relieve that some who have seen the plan tell us they see no further cuts. At the same time, they don't give much hope for restorations, even though most would support them. A recent poll showed the majority of Missourians feel the 2005 cuts hurt needy children and adults and went way too far.

At a minimum, the new plan should restore Medicaid eligibility for the elderly poor and disabled to 100 percent of the federal property level, reinstate health-care coverage for poor working parents (mostly single mothers), increase the allowable asset limit to $2,500 per person, let disabled people work by restoring the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program and fully restore dental and eye care.

To do anything less only perpetuates the inadequate and punishing program our needy children, seniors and disabled people currently contend with.

CINDI KEELE, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Missouri, Jefferson City, Mo.