Respectfully yours

Submitted by GetReal (United States), Oct 29, 2010 at 06:38

Mr. Bergson, and most respectfully, I beg to differ having a child with multiple disabilities, one of which is a severe cardiac condition for which he underwent open heart surgery shortly after birth. Because of his disabilities he was immediately qualified for SSI and medical coverage through the SSA which made it possible for me to stay home with him, to care for him which has been quite an undertaking, for quite a few years while the Republicans were in office.

During the 8 years Bush was in office my/our son received all the medical attention he required, provided by readily available specialists which include neurologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, numerous therapists and the like, who are necessary to keep him alive and as well as he can possibly be, and moving forever forward toward the goal of reaching his full potential. All of that has changed under a Democratic Congress and Presidency, Sir, and with all due respect given, my son's benefits were cut by more than half as the new administration's policies went into effect. These new policies don't change the fact that my child is still as disabled as he ever was, but now I have to scramble to find what few, very few, doctors there are who will treat him. Due to all of the cuts in Medicaid/Medipass benefits by this administration, doctors have dropped out of the Medicaid program, and in particular those in specialized fields which means I might have to travel quite a long way and wait many months for an appointment, if I am able to find a doctor at all. For example, my son doesn't lose his primary teeth. They have to be pulled, and this has to be done in a hospital/OR setting. I have been months trying to find a dentist who will accommodate him.

My son's expenses aren't something I can pull out of my pocket. He undergoes regular MRI's and Echocardiograms, with doppler, which do not come cheap, and I cannot afford. This was not ever the case before; but it is now. It sickens and saddens me and many others within the disabled community not to be able to do all that we need to, to care for our children. I can well understand, then, your concern, but I am opposite you in my belief that Obama and his administration as well as a sitting Democratic Congress is an answer to the prayers of the disabled, for we are living the nightmare on a daily basis.

It angers and sickens me beyond all measure when I hear these Democrats go on and on about this one or that one who couldn't get medical coverage under the Bush Administration, when I know so many more who have indeed LOST their coverage under Obama, who were qualified for it under Bush. And please don't consider me a narrow mind Republican. I was a registered Independent prior to this administration and Congress which put my child's life and my ability to care for him at risk, as well as many other disabled people I know, being in that arena, day in and day out, and are we to worry now too that the lives of our children, due to their disabilities will be deemed uninsurable under Medicaid for their inability to "contribute anything meaningful to society"? I ask you, having seen this happen. A 56 year old disabled man was suddenly deemed no longer eligible due to his age! The State determined that it would not be cost effective to continue to provide him with medical services and a middle aged woman is left on her own without any assistance to help her battle cancer. These are the realities I live, Mr. Bergson, and because I do, I will NOT vote one more Democrat into the office of Presidency or Congress. Not one.

Sorry to have been so long and terse. But as I said, this affects us personally, as well.

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