My mom is 97 years old and has severe dementia. She has been in a memory care unit for three years. My mom loved reading, loved book, but now can’t recognize even one written word. She can’t hold a conversation or count past one.
And mom has outlived her live savings.
The skilled nursing care she is receiving is being paid for by Medicaid. So if the present GOP health care bill becomes law, Medicaid will be cut.
What will happen to my mother? Will she receive less services? Will we kids have to start paying for those services? I don’t know. I’ve called around to some political offices and they are not sure either.
I do know that $800 billion is being cut from Medicaid by the present GOP bill.
And I know from the Kaiser Family Foundation that 6 out of 10 nursing home residents are covered by Medicaid. So I am not the only (one) who should be worried.
The House of Representatives passed a bill very similar to this draconian Senate version and my congressman Erik Paulsen voted for it.
I’m worred about my mom and I am angry about the lack of heart in both bills. I will not vote for Erik Paulsen in November 2018.
Julie Weise, Chaska
Chaska Herald, July 7, 2017