[Nfbmo] Fw: Health Care for the Blind

Tue Mar 27 16:03:19 UTC 2012

hi,

let's hope he is sincere and his words are true even in auto response form.
that is the same response i received at least a week ago.
Bryan Schulz

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gene Coulter 
  To: NFB MO List 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:35 AM
  Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw: Health Care for the Blind

  From: Joseph Keaveny
  Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 9:33 AM
  To: Gene Coulter
  Subject: RE: Health Care for the Blind

  Thank you for taking the time to write to me about your opposition to the 
  discontinuation of Medicaid for blind people. Knowing your concerns, I can 
  act appropriately on your behalf.

  I believe your worries can be rested because according to Senator Mayer, the 
  President Pro Tem of the Senate, the senate is not in favor of cutting 
  Medicaid for the blind. When these suggestions reach the senate we will work 
  to restore the cuts.

  Please know that blind people do not stand alone in our state. Many other 
  Missourians have contacted my office with their opposition to the house 
  proposal to cut Medicaid to blind individuals. I agree completely with these 
  constituents. Cutting Medicaid to the blind would be morally wrong. I 
  understand the gravity of the situation and I believe your claim that 
  without Medicaid blind individuals could face life or death situations.

  Here at the capitol I will be fighting to ensure blind individual’s access 
  to Medicaid. Thank you for writing me regarding this issue; if your group 
  has any future concerns please feel free to contact my office.

  Best,

  Joe Keaveny

  From: Gene Coulter [mailto:escoulter at centurytel.net]
  Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:28 PM
  To: Joseph Keaveny
  Subject: Health Care for the Blind

  Eugene Coulter

  1613 Blue Ridge Rd

  Columbia MO 65202

  March 26, 2012

  Dear Senator Keaveny,

  As a proud graduate of the University of Missouri in 1979 I realize the 
  importance of higher education. As a blind person I also realize the value 
  of medical services provided to the blind. I also believe that I am in a 
  unique position having recently retired from the Family Support Division as 
  a Caseworker for 27 years. Among the programs I dealt with there were the 
  Medicaid for Families program and Blind Pension. I made sure to make myself 
  an expert on Blind Pension since I was hired  in 1984.

  Understanding that this is a tight budget year I don’t understand why it 
  must be a battle between the University I love and blind people that I also 
  love. I urge that funding be restored to this vital program. It has been 
  alleged that wealthy people could be on this program. I personally do not 
  know anyone even close to wealthy on the program using any measure. A 
  typical applicant for Blind Pension is 80 years old and has a Social 
  Security payment of about $800 and has other health issues. They look to the 
  state for help as they don’t know what else to do. I took these applications 
  and the medical services provided by the program were vital to their ability 
  to stay out of assisted living or a nursing home. It seems much more 
  economical to pay for this health coverage instead of paying $5,000.00 a 
  month for nursing facility when the person’s health falters.

  For long time recipients of the medical service the question is just as 
  basic. Since 1967 this coverage has been granted by both Republican and 
  Democratic General Assemblies. Blind Persons have justifiably made their 
  life decisions based on the fact that they could count on it being there. In 
  many cases if the coverage were not provided these people would have no 
  place to turn. I know of one man right here in Columbia who would likely 
  lose his house only two years after losing his wife if this funding is not 
  restored. Some have said those on the program have insurance through their 
  job but  the majority of working blind people are working at menial jobs or 
  in sheltered shops that do not offer insurance.

  I have heard of no other disability group asking that this medical aid be 
  removed for blind persons as they realize that help from state government is 
  disability specific. But, if you and your colleagues still feel it is unfair 
  to keep this benefit please keep it for this year and study what changes can 
  be made to it. There are many blind people who would agree to paying a 
  premium for those with higher incomes or even raising the amount of co-pays. 
  Please don’t pull the rug out from under those who really need the coverage. 
  I would be most happy to talk with you or your staff if I can be of help in 
  deliberation as I am both blind and worked on the frontline of this program.

  Sincerely,

  Eugene Coulter
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