The latest stupid idea out of Washington comes from the Senate where Republicans are trying to appease hospital administrators who worry that cutting medicaid will result in closure of rural hospitals nationwide. The Republicans are proposing a “slush fund” to prop up those hospitals who are likely to lose revenue in areas of the country where medicaid funds provide care. The inhumane part of this proposal is that low income seniors, children and individuals with disabilities will no longer have primary care nor access to life-saving medications. The result of this will be an increase in visits to emergency rooms where it may be too late to save them. The cost of emergency room care far exceeds the cost of a visit to a primary care physician or medications that prevent more serious illness in patients.

Despite the outcry from the majority of Americans who seem to be much smarter than Republican Senators, the Senate seems on a course to pass Trump’s “big stupid bill”. Mitch McConnell who hails from Kentucky was quoted in a recent meeting: “they’ll get over losing their medicaid”. Really Mitch!? Kentucky has current use of medicaid estimated at $1.7 Billion . I doubt that Kentucky will “get over it”! Of course, Mitch doesn’t care, he’s not running again and it is evident that he no longer gives a hoot about his fellow Kentuckians.

I think the same could be said for the Republican Senators who can’t bring themselves to shave even a few precentage points off the TAX CUT for the wealthy to save medicaid for children, seniors in nusing homes and people with disabilities. Why? Like the rest of the MAGA group they have failed to represent their own constituents in favor of supporting the fever dreams of an aging narcissist who cares nothing for the people who put him back in office.

It’s not too late but voters must act soon and contact their Senators to voice opposition to the “big stupid bill” and ask for sensible compromise that preserves Medicaid. Senator Bernie Moreno and Senator Jon Husted can be reached at www.senate.gov where a simple form allows voters to leave a message. If voters prefer to call the Washington office of Moreno is (202) 224-2315 and Husted is (202) 224-3353. Thanks for standing up for those who often cannot stand up for themselves.

Teresa R. Porter

Marietta, Ohio