Sometimes, Politics Scares Me

There have been times when I get political here, and I'll probably never change that. There are times, though, that I kinda keep my mouth shut. Sometimes, I just get feeling a bit smothered by all the debate and argument. And sometimes the debate and argument swirl around suppositions. People say that if someone gets elected than this will happen, or that if we spend our tax money here or there than the economy will soar or tank.

But we really don't know, do we? It's all speculation? Sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong.

Well, now it's not so much political as it is personal. And I don't really know what's going to happen. I'm just afraid. Very afraid.

First, please watch this video:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

If the state budget passes as currently proposed, it is very likely that my son, Jacob, will be disqualified from receiving services from the state DSPD (Division of Services for People with Disabilities). That means that he would also be disqualified from receiving Medicaid, and almost all of his medical expenses would then fall on our insurance and our shoulders.

So that you understand, let me show you some examples. His daily formula and monthly medicines cost about 7 grand a month. So, after our deductible, our split of the 80/20 would be about $1400. Considering that this insurance costs us about $900 a month, and that would include a $500 out-of-pocket deductible, we're paying some pretty hefty costs in medical expenses monthly.

And, keep in mind that the amount quoted above doesn't include doctor's visits, nor specialists visits, nor physical therapy, nor equipment like wheelchairs, nor his yearly week-long stay up at Primary Children's.

Here are just 16 of the 72 cuts being considered:

1. Eliminate Medicaid optional eligibility categories
2. Reduce Medicaid spend down eligibility level
3. Reduce children’s dental coverage
4. End the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
5. End the Physical Disabilities Waiver
6. End Disability Services
7. Reduce local Substance Abuse treatment
8. Reduce local Mental Health funding
9. Eliminate Children’s Center Mental Health Grant
10. Eliminate Autism Preschool
11. Close State hospital beds
12. Eliminate general fund for Nursing Home Alternatives
13. Eliminate coverage for Breast and Cervical Cancer Clients
14. Eliminate Meals on Wheels for 8200 people at risk for malnutrition
15. Eliminate meals at Senior Centers for at risk seniors
16. Provider rate reductions for all levels of health care and human services providers

I'm not asking you to compromise your own political beliefs, but if you could find it in your heart to call your state legislator and tell him that you know a really cute kid who needs to have DSPD funded, I'd sure appreciate it. To find your state house representative, go to http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/DistrictInfo/newMaps/State.htm and click on your district. Keep clicking deeper until you find your house rep.

Thanks so much for your consideration.


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com