Forum helps area Medicaid patients understand cuts

Sixty-five people from across Southeast Missouri came to the Osage Community Centre Thursday to learn how to become better advocates for their own health.

The forum was presented by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Missouri.

Farmington resident Jimmy Pearce has not been affected by the state's recent cuts in Medicaid cuts. But, he said, "I'm afraid they'll cut our insurance off and our checks won't cover medicine."

Kennett resident Judy Lawrence has been affected by the Medicaid cuts and is afraid more cuts could be coming.

James Williams' dentist and eye doctor visits have been cut. The Clarkton resident thinks this is just the beginning.

NAMI provides education on communicating with legislators and provides an e-mail advocacy online service distributing information about legislation. The organization also staffs a phone line to help people understand their Medicaid benefits.

Cynthia Keele, NAMI of Missouri's executive director, said quite a few people report that they have not received a letter from the Department of Family Services and only find out their Medicaid coverage has been cut when they go to get their medicine refilled.

"I think it's of critical importance that people speak to their legislators to help them understand the real impact, to help them understand how far these cuts have gone, how severely this is having an impact on the lives of people with disabilities," she said.

Deborah Scott, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, said she knows the cuts are hard on Missourians. She was not in attendance at the forum.

"Any cuts or any reductions are difficult, and we know this, but changes had to be made. They just had to be made," she said. "We were facing growth that was absolutely unsustainable, and the General Assembly and the governor have made the changes that had to be made to keep our program operational and serving the neediest in Missouri," she said.

Scott said the state is continuing to work to re-create Medicaid so it can better serve Missourians.

"The Medicaid reform commission is working on behalf of the General Assembly and the administration to review everything that is being done in the Medicaid program," Scott said.

She said they will look to other states and hear from Missouri citizens and providers about what they want the Medicaid program to look like in the future.

Scott said those recommendations are due to Gov. Matt Blunt by the end of December. She said the administration is absolutely dedicated to having a safety net and having a viable program.

Keele said the Medicaid cuts have already gone too far.

"We are throwing people with severe disabilities off their medical care that some of them have to have to live," she said.

Anyone with questions about Medicaid benefits can call NAMI from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 374-2138, Monday through Friday.