To the Editor:
John S. Glaser’s letter “Benefits of Medicaid Expansion” in the May 1-7 Mount Vernon Gazette responding to my letter is typical of those who blindly push for something using whatever emotional data that suits their purpose and usually ignoring facts. For example, he uses data from a study report, as I said in my earlier letter, that contains caveats and cautionary language to decision makers to take into account before making any decision about expanding Medicaid. The study most often quoted states on page one “The uncertainties increase after 2019 and that period was not part of the scope of the study.” Under the Executive Summary it states “Given the overarching policy issues with PPAC, the reader should weigh the assumptions and caveats closely with conclusions and findings.” The Virginia Senate Finance Committee also has caveats.
Mr. Glaser pushes too far when he states that veterans will be among those who will be hurt if Medicaid is not expanded now instead of carefully considering all factors before any decision is made as I and many others believe will help more than rushing to decide. I am a WW II and Korea war veteran and I have been helping veterans in need through Veteran’s organizations (VFW, DAV and Wounded Warriors) for a long time. For Mr. Glaser to insinuate that I want to deny health care to veterans when he states “This is inexcusable affront to those who have served our country in war and peace.” is disingenuous, insulting and disgusting.
Emotional data and scare tactics, as Mr. Glazer presents, doesn’t help anyone especially those who need health care. I have never seen a major Federal program costing less than estimated. If the money is not there how does that help those who need health care? People who now go to the emergency room to get care probably will continue to do so because they have been accustomed to doing that for their benefit regardless of Medicaid. Mr. Glaser apparently believes that all those who want to ensure that Medicaid not only works in the short term but is there for the long pull are wrong and he is correct with his emotional arguments to expand Medicaid now. I remind him that Obamacare was passed on emotional arguments and rushed to enactment because it was going to do wonders for everyone. But instead, look at the disaster that program is today. How does such disaster help those who need health care particularly the 6 million who lost their health care coverage because of Obamacare? And, how many more will be affected? We shouldn’t let that happen by rushing to pass Medicaid expansion.
I believe it is better to delay Medicaid expansion until the data used to make decisions is substantiated and short and long term contingencies are dealt with for the benefit of all who may qualify for Medicaid. Keep in mind the old adage “Haste Makes Waste.” And, we should not fall into that emotional trap that Mr. Glaser stresses. Considered decisions will truly help the needy rather than emotions.
Frank Medico
Mount Vernon