Readers share their views
LePage budget unfairly targets elderly
To the editor;
The Governor’s budget calls for major cuts to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and completely eliminates the Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly program (DEL). By proposing these drastic measures, Maine is turning to the state’s oldest and poorest citizens and demanding they come up with a way to fix Maine’s budget woes by cutting back or eliminating their health care, their life-saving medications, and for many, their ability to stay in their own homes.
The DEL provides discounts on generic drugs for all enrollees and on brand name drugs for people with certain serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and multiple sclerosis. It also makes certain drugs more affordable for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The MSP helps to pay for Part B premiums for Medicare which covers many important services including doctor visits, preventive care, ambulance services, skilled nursing care, outpatient care and medically-necessary supplies such as wheel chairs and walkers. Is discontinuing these essential programs really the answer to our state’s budget problems?
The DEL and the MSP must be maintained. Those affected by these budget cuts are our friends and neighbors. For many of them, cutting back on their health care and their prescription drugs could endanger their lives. I am 90 years old and I find this unacceptable. Older and at-risk Mainers need to know now that their benefits won’t be taken away. I hope our legislators do the right thing and restore funding to the DEL and MSP immediately.
Jane Magnus
AARP volunteer
Windham
Stop! Drop! Read! across Aroostook 2013
To the editor:
Aroostook Right to Read promotes literacy encompassing reading, writing, listening and speaking across the curriculum among students, educators and parents. Directors work to complete this mission in several ways. They encourage the schools and the communities to participate in Reading Awareness activities as part of Reading Awareness Week. This year it will extend from April 8 to 12. As part of Reading Awareness Week, Aroostook Right to Read would like to sponsor an opportunity to Stop! Drop! Read! across Aroostook. The date selected for this is Wednesday, April 10 from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. At this time everyone would stop what they are doing and read something of their own choosing for the half hour.
Other activities Aroostook Right to Read sponsors are many. The organization honors young writers in grades four to eight at the annual Young Authors’ Institute culminating in the publication of student work. Students listen to a famous author, attend interesting and creative workshops and receive a copy of all the student work from young writers across Aroostook. Another endeavor is that of disseminating information relevant to literacy wherever applicable. Directors also recognize educators and community members annually for outstanding work in the field of literacy. As part of the Reading Awareness Week, students create bookmarks. Winning bookmarks are then published and distributed to students county-wide.
Please help make April 10, 2013 from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. a time when everyone shows their appreciation for the written word with Stop! Drop! Read! Posters and brochures will be visible in our schools through Aroostook Right to Read in your town.
Leona Michaud
Limestone
