Bergen Man Begs Officials: Don't Cut Medicaid

To the editor:

I am concerned about Medicaid. I am a person with developmental disabilities. I depend on Medicaid to live my best possible life. It does a lot more than just keep me healthy.

We need to stand up to Congress and The White House. They are targeting the support services that help me work, do things on my own and socialize with other people.

Medicaid might be cut by billions of dollars. If that happens, many people like me would lose their benefits. Any cut to Medicaid would be bad, but this would be a disaster.

In New Jersey, 352,000 people with disabilities use Medicaid. A lot of Medicaid's money goes toward people like me. The people who want to cut Medicaid do not usually mention that.

We are not weak or lazy. We are not entitled. We are strong. Medicaid brings out our best.

Medicaid pays for equipment and doctor appointments. It also pays for rides, support or work and a place to live. Medicaid gives people like me a real chance to be happy.

We need to tell Congress that we care about people with disabilities. We want to protect Medicaid because it works. Cuts would only hurt.

Ryan Roy,
Saddle Brook