[Nfbmo] Let's get busy

[Gene Coulter]

Hello Everyone,
I know you been asked this before but we need to write letters and make 
phone calls again to every Senator we can on blind  Health Services. At 
least contact your own Senator, Senator Schaefer, Senator Mayer, and Senator 
Dempsey.
Senator has put a plan out that would substanially change the medical 
program for the worse. I have pasted a letter  below that hits some of the 
provisions of his plan so you  hopefully get a clearer picture.
This battle may not be over until mid-May.
Gene
Eugene Coulter

1613 Blue Ridge Rd

Columbia, MO 65202

April 12, 2012

Dear Senator Schaefer,

The recent action of the Senate appropriations committee regarding health 
coverage for blind people in this state is a step in the right direction. 
However, according to the Columbia Daily tribune premiums would be $120.80 a 
month ($1449.60 annually) and when added to the $600.00 deductible means 
most blind people would have a minimum cost of $2,049.60 annually.

If as the articles I have seen are correct it is expected that 
$10,000,000.00 would come from the blind recipients themselves or for 2,858 
recipients about $3,500.00 average costs when copays, premiums and the 
deductible are all added together.  There are lots of blind couples whose 
cost would average around $7,000.00

I do not believe this plan takes in to account the ability to pay. Some 
recipients have very little income and should not be required to pay a 
premium. I worked as an Eligibility Specialist for the Family Support 
Division for 27 years and under the Missouri HealthNet for children premiums 
are tiered depending on income so that a person with less than 150% of the 
Federal Poverty Level (FPL) pays no premium. Recipients with incomes higher 
than 150% of FPL pay one of three different premiums depending on their 
exact income. On average the proposed blind medical services plan would cost 
a recipient 41% of their blind pension.

This plan is totally unfair to those with smaller incomes. For example there 
is a couple where the blind person has no other income other than Blind 
pension and her legally blind husband, whose vision is to good to get Blind 
Pension,  gets Social Security Disability  benefits. Under the proposed plan 
a third of their income would be taken between Medicare and Blind Health 
Services deductibles, copays, and premiums. No one should have to pay a 
third of their income for basic health coverage.

Please restore full funding for the next fiscal year and if the General 
Assembly feels that changes need to be made they should be made after study 
and with recognition of the consequences they will have for the poorest 
among the blind population

Sincerely

Eugene Coulter