Medi-Cal Cuts

I read in The Times that Gov. Pete Wilson is now looking at cuts in Medi-Cal to help balance the state budget. I’m here to say that we can’t afford to cut Medi-Cal anymore.

I have multiple sclerosis. I have only Medi-Cal to pay my expenses. It is already very difficult to find doctors who will accept Medi-Cal, because it pays below market prices, it takes a long time to pay and requires a lot of paperwork. Doctors with a good practice have no need to accept patients like me. Most of the time I am seeing residents in a learning situation.

And the things Medi-Cal will not cover include ditropan, which I take for bladder control and elastic hose that helps the circulation in my legs. I have very bad circulation because I sit in a wheelchair. I don’t think that anybody thinks I don’t really need these things. It’s just that there isn’t enough money to cover everything.

I can only see the dentist once a year on Medi-Cal. Now Wilson is thinking of cutting out dental benefits. Teeth are not merely cosmetic.

Health care for the poor is not expendable. And when preventive maintenance is not available, it makes it more likely that more expensive procedures will be needed later.

Let’s stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor!

LAKE NOFER

Woodland Hills