TennCare decision sounds death knell

Letter to the Editor: The Commercial Appeal

November 12, 2004

My governor wants me dead. I am not perfect in body nor am I wealthy, which means I don't count. People like me have no say in public policy that continues to isolate and discriminate against people with disabilities. 

Because advocates for positive changes have dared to challenge our omnipotent ruler, thousands will be punished (Nov. 11 article, "Bredesen begins to dissolve TennCare"). Advocates have filed lawsuits and held protests to try to educate our state that there are cost-effective strategies that can save Tennessee money and still get services to the people who need them most. Even our neighboring state of Arkansas has a working Medicaid system, and others such as Texas and Colorado have made similar changes to support their citizens. 

Gov. Phil Bredesen worships the dollar and not the people. His campaign promises were nothing but a smokescreen; the reality is that it's his way or the highway. This latest slap by Tennessee's government is relegating people with any type of disability to institutions or death. Without adequate medication, support and services, people with disabilities will die. I am ashamed that I voted for a man who only sees the bottom line and will not look into my face and tell me that I have no worth in the state where I was born, raised my family, work and pay one of the highest sales taxes in the country. 

When others threw rocks to protest an income tax, I was and am willing to support it if my community needs it. I make less than $40,000 a year. I wish our wealthy governor would try to walk in the shoes of so many of my brothers and sisters with disabilities who live on $560 a month disability checks and pay for medications costing more than $300. When our elderly citizens have to choose between eating and taking life-sustaining medications, when parents of medically fragile children have to lose their homes to pay medical bills, something is seriously wrong. Has our community and state become so greedy that we can't see beyond what we want to what others need? 

Sandi Klink, Memphis