Committee appointment questioned

To the editor:In a recent announcement from the governor's office, Cape Girardeau resident Stephen Bradford was appointed to the HealthNet Oversight Committee established to revamp Missouri's existing Medicaid program, which, among many things, provides funding for in-home care to the poor and disabled. Mr. Bradford's appointment raises serious questions, given his relationship to one of the state's largest for-profit home-health services, Pyramid Home Health Services, where he serves as chief executive officer.

The company run by Bradford competes for state funds used to provide in-home care to consumers also served by the 22 not-for-profit independent-living centers in Missouri and other in-home providers.

Mr. Bradford is no stranger to state government, having been appointed to the Missouri State Government Review Commission in 2005. In addition to the obvious potential for conflict of interest posed by Mr. Bradford's position with Pyramid, there exists a history of considerable contributions to candidates from both political parties. From 1999 to 2004, Bradford contributed a total of $29,400 to Democratic candidates. From 2005 to the present, Bradford and companies operating under his name and the names Pyramid Home Healthcare Inc., Pyramid Homemaker Services and Tri-County Group XV donated a total of $26,300 to the Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Mr. Bradford's appointment to this position creates the perception that the fox has been given the keys to the henhouse. It would have been far wiser to appoint an additional representative from the not-for-profit independent-living centers to this vital committee.

MARYANN "MIKI" GUDERMUTH, President, Missouri Advocates for Independent Living, Cape Girardeau