Why we must protect Medicaid

I believe that most people know someone who benefits from Medicaid. It might be an older adult in a nursing home, a child with behavioral challenges or someone born with a significant disability. Personally, that someone is my oldest daughter, who was born with cerebral palsy. She requires a wheelchair and needs daily assistance with tasks that most of us do without thinking.

Right now, Congress is trying to quickly enact the American Health Care Act. In addition to changing health care coverage for millions of Americans, it will impose a new Medicaid structure, one that will be certain to provide fewer services for seniors, children and people with disabilities. This act must not become law. Changing the structure and function of Medicaid puts our state's most vulnerable people at risk.

The numbers are eye-opening: Medicaid covers two-thirds of older adults in nursing homes, 39 percent of American children, and over nine million people with disabilities. If access to health care and Medicaid are made more restrictive, millions at all points on the age and income scale will suffer. Providing health care to our citizens and keeping current Medicaid funding is not about politics, but how we care for others in our country.

My career has been in the Lutheran human services field. There are more than 300 Lutheran agencies across the U.S., and combined they are serving 1 in 50 Americans. Most of the individuals served are seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities. These are the individuals who will face the consequence if this bill becomes law. We urge members of the Virginia congressional delegation to reject this bill, and to urge Congress to take its time in coming up with a better plan that helps all Americans.

JULIE SWANSON

CEO LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES

ROANOKE