By vetoing the bill to accept 100 percent funded federal Medicaid dollars because it was attached to cash settlement with hospitals, it seems like the governor has thrown out the proverbial baby with the bath water.

Maine has the per capita largest number of old folks in the nation.

The number is rising as the baby boomers arrive on scene. Many need medical care and drugs but simply cannot afford to pay the double digit rises in the cost.

Many worked all of their lives to save what they thought would cover these costs but have discovered, like many of us, retirement is not exactly the golden age we thought it would be.

When one considers the supply and demand equation, it is hard to see why the governor would veto such a bill.

As pointed out above, there is a demand for more money to meet the demand of a growing number of elderly.

Recent local news reports report the opposite for more hospitals, concluding there are many hospital beds empty.

Hospitals apparently do not have the same demand as elderly for immediate, lump-sum repayment. It appears, they have plenty of money available to build new hospitals and partnership facilities such as in Brunswick, EMMC, Mercy, Maine General and all the new hospital partner health buildings in the state. Hospital administrators and doctors do not seem to be complaining about enough in salaries.

Let’s start addressing the immediate needs and put repayment to hospital on the installment plan. It won’t cost a thing the first year and the investment in the future has a favorable return.

Most older citizens are not welfare cheats and need you to be there for them in their hour of need.

Patrick Eisenhart

Augusta

Copy the Story Link