This page was last updated on March 9, 2011.
Corbett mustn’t cut special needs aid; Lisa Dawson; Beaver County Times; March 9, 2011.
Previous letters from Ms. Dawson were entitled “Put the blame where it belongs” and “Focus on gay rights is a distraction.”
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“As a health-care worker, I hear talk on a daily basis about how Obamacare is going to destroy our profession.”
[RWC] In a previous letter defending government-run, taxpayer-funded healthcare programs, Ms. Dawson failed to note she is “a health-care worker” and has a child who receives Medicaid benefits.
“However, no one seems to want to put the blame where it truly belongs.
“We fail to realize that our salary is being paid by Medicare and Medicaid, the latter of which Gov. Tom Corbett has designated for the chopping block.”
[RWC] Increasing Medicaid spending by $670 million is designating Medicaid “for the chopping block?” Further, the budget asserts, “In 2011-12 the Medical Assistance program will provide health care and long-term care services to more than 2.2 million Pennsylvanians, a 4.5% increase over the prior year.” Several different Google searches found nothing to substantiate Ms. Dawson’s Medicaid spending-cut claims. That said, despite the overall spending increase of $670 million, it’s likely some individual Medicaid benefits went up and others went down.
Gov. Corbett didn’t release his proposed budget until 11:30 a.m. the day before this letter was published and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, “Mr. Corbett and his top aides have said virtually nothing about the budget until Monday when they held meetings with close legislative allies who were sworn to secrecy.” As a result, it’s likely Ms. Dawson wrote this letter before she could have known what was really in the budget. You may recall Ms. Dawson had problems with her facts in her previous two letters.
“One of the most egregious details of his plan is to cut the Medicaid loophole for special needs children.
“This plan would cut benefits to many taxpaying families. This would include therapies such as occupational, physical, speech and behavioral therapies. These services are not paid for by private insurances.
“Many families would be forced to pay out of pocket and suffer significant financial hardship.
“As the mother of a child who suffers from autist [sic] spectrum disorder, I personally have seen a huge improvement in my child because of these service [sic] and would have difficulty paying for them, in spite of the fact that my husband and I work hard every day.”
[RWC] Just as Ms. Dawson and her husband, most families “work hard every day.” At the risk of being called mean spirited, why should other families who “work hard every day” to meet their own needs be forced to do without or work even harder to help Ms. Dawson’s family?
Do I believe people who need help because of circumstances beyond their control should get it? Of course, but via private charities funded by voluntary contributions.
“Obviously, Corbett has no respect for the most vulnerable members of society. All of you seniors who are salivating over no tax increases should beware. You are next.”
[RWC] As I noted above, several different Google searches found nothing to substantiate Ms. Dawson’s Medicaid spending-cut claims. Even if Ms. Dawson’s claims were true, it wouldn’t excuse demonizing Mr. Corbett.
Ms. Dawson and J.D. Prose need to get their “most vulnerable” stories straight. Several days ago, Mr. Prose told us those who earned too much to qualify for Medicaid were “our most vulnerable residents.”
Why does Ms. Dawson attack “seniors?” The last I heard, there were to be no PA tax increases for anyone. In any case, the proposed budget includes cuts in programs for “seniors” and just about everyone else. That’s what happens when you have to deal with a $4.1 billion deficit.
© 2004-2011 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.