Do Not Let Politicians Ignore the Needs of the Poor
To the Editor:

To the citizens of Mackinac County, I want to share both a goodbye and some information they should possess. This pertains almost exclusively to customers of the Department of Human services.

For those who have received food assistance, Medicaid, or emergency services from DHS/FIA, you were served by an assistance payments (AP) worker. Once upon a time, there were four such workers, then three, and then in February 2007, there were only two. Not only did the local agency become shorthanded with AP workers, but the office also saw a reduction in clerical staff, down to only one!

Despite the downsizing, valiant efforts have been made to continue serving the citizens of Mackinac County. It has not been easy. The downsizing of any agency often comes to some as a "victory" of sorts, however, in the long run, a shortage of workers serves no one. People assume that downsizing helps the state's budget. Maybe that's true. But what they don't talk about is the effect on the community.

They don't talk about the longer waits for needed processing of Medicaid, food assistance, and/or emergency assistance. They don't talk about the longer waits to have your Medicaid deductibles processed so you can obtain your needed prescriptions. They don't talk about the longer waits to have your case adjusted when your incomes decrease, or ceases completely.

I chose to walk away. To those I've assisted over the past 11 years, let me tell you, it was a privilege to serve you. The struggles you face in these horrible economic times were well understood. You could say "I've been there, done that."

The second item: Did you know that Michigan was the only state in the nation without an estate recovery plan? What is this? When persons with sizable assets go into Long Term Care, they can get Medicaid. Yes, while you may have been denied Medicaid, despite having low income and little in assets, there has been a Medicaid program for the affluent! Other states at least tried to recoup some of this Medicaid money via "estate recovery" when the Long Term Care recipient passed away. It was and is the right thing to do, as there are limited Medicaid dollars to go around. Well, Michigan finally has one, well sort of. I've heard there are so many loopholes one could drive a freight train right through the plan.

Let me leave you with one suggestion. Do not let the politicians get away with a free pass. It is your state legislature that determines how Medicaid is applied in this state. Are you on a deductible? Crazy, isn't it? Call Senator Jason Allen and Rep. Gary McDowell. Tell them how this program hurts you personally. Were you denied Medicaid? Call your representatives tell them how badly you need medical assistance. Do not let the politicians ignore the needs of the poor while addressing the needs of those far better off. Call them, not just once; learn their phone numbers by heart and stay informed of what they do in Lansing. Things will never change if those most affected by bad policies do not speak up.

One last thing: If you are not receiving the kind of service you need from the local office due to downsizing, don't blame those who are working under incredible workloads, call your state senator and state representatives and tell them they have downsized too much!

Karen Martin Formerly of DHS in Mackinac County

Cheboygan