Pa. needs to close the PH-95 Medicaid ‘loophole’

After reading the May 21 article “Families Brace for Safety Net Cut: Financial Aid for Children With Disabilities Could Be Hit by Federal Caps to Medicaid,” I felt compelled to present the other side of the story, as someone who has been involved in the disability community for decades.

While the article paints a dismal picture for those with disabilities, what isn’t addressed is that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (formerly the Department of Public Welfare) has been trying to cut the Medicaid “loophole” (PH95) for years. Rightly so. Services are currently provided without regard to income. In my role as the founder and former director of the Autism Center of Pittsburgh, I have seen families making upward of $350,000 per year receive services completely free of charge.

PH-95 is a program that was meant to help our most vulnerable citizens but has devolved into an abused, big-government debacle. There is no reason why households with high incomes cannot pay premiums and deductibles for these services, freeing up funds for those who are truly in need.

Advocates such as myself attempted to free some of the burden on DHS when we wrote PA Act 62, forcing insurance companies to pay for some therapies. As usual, insurance companies found a way to avoid payment, which would have resulted in a lesser burden on DHS and more funds available for the disabled.

Beforewe even discuss cuts in the Affordable Care Act under President Donald Trump and the pending doom, PH-95 needs to be cut at the state level, and insurance companies need to adhere to the law under the purview of Act 62. This overly bloated program is long overdue fora much-needed overhaul. CINDY WAELTERMANN

McCandless

To look through a dozen hospital and doctor bills to determine if all my charges are justified and which I can afford to pay.

To ask every doctor who sticks his head in my hospital room if he is part of my plan.

To lose my home because I could not afford to pay my medical bills.

Please keep these wants/donot-wants in mind while deciding my medical care future. WILLIAM PERSINGER

Brighton Heights

Memorial Day, May 29, is when Americans will pause to honorour fallen men and women who served in defense of our country. They served with honor and distinction without thought of their own safety to keep Americafree.

American soldiers buried in cemeteries around the world will be honored for their ultimate sacrifice. It is at these graves where valor sleeps.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it” — author unknown. SAMUEL GAGLIARDI

Baden

On May 14, I was pleased read the article “412 Food Rescue Mobilizes to Distribute Surplus Food.” I became aware of this invaluable nonprofit in late 2015, as a member of the Lions Club of Pittsburgh. Since that time Lions clubs in the Pittsburgh area have been contributing money to support the important serviceof 412 Food Rescue.

However, I’d like to offer a clarification to the story and a May 21 letter. The letter “McCutchen Has Shared More Than Baseball With Pittsburgh,” acknowledging Pirates

We welcome your opinion

outfielder Andrew McCutchen’s significant contribution to the Pittsburgh community, said Mr. McCutchen paid the whole check for the new 412 Food Rescue refrigeration truck. This information was from the May 14 article.

In no way do I want to diminish Mr. McCutchen’s contribution to 412 Food Rescue and the many other ways he has been contributing to Pittsburgh’s needy. However, the Lions Club ofPittsburgh contributed $23,400 to purchase the refrigeration unit for that truck. My motivation for writing is to let people know about the contributions of the 34 Lions clubs that serve the GreaterPittsburgh area.

Lions International is the largest service organization in the world with 1.4 million members. Its primary service areas are vision, hunger, youth and environment. As with all service organizations, Lions clubs are struggling to recruit new members and continue providing needed services to our communities. I hope anyone else who is interested in following Mr. McCutchen’s lead takes up the call for service and considers joining a local Lions club.

DAN HUPP Upper St. Clair