[Education and Welfare] Fwd: Please Fully Rostore Health Care for the Blind:

[Elton Thomas]

Bellow is a response from my Senator Joe Keavenly.

Elton

Begin forwarded message:

From: Joseph Keaveny <joseph.keaveny at senate.mo.gov<mailto:joseph.keaveny at senate.mo.gov>>
Date: April 30, 2012 5:51:37 PM CDT
To: Elton Thomas <ethomas at lhbindustries.com<mailto:ethomas at lhbindustries.com>>
Subject: RE: Please Fully Rostore Health Care for the Blind:


Thank you for taking the time to write to me with your support for Medicaid for the Blind. Knowing your concerns, I can act appropriately on your behalf.

I would like the Missouri Council of the Blind Members to know that they need not worry. The senate was not in favor of cutting Medicaid for the blind. Last night I was among the senators that voted in favor of restoring funding for Medicaid for the blind to our State Budget. The issue will now go to conference and we will compromise on the matter.

Please know that blind people do not stand alone in our state. Many other Missourians have contacted my office with their opposition to the house proposal to cut Medicaid to blind individuals. I agree completely with these constituents. Cutting Medicaid to the blind would be morally wrong. I understand the gravity of the situation and I believe your claim that without Medicaid blind individuals could face life or death situations.

Here at the capitol I will be fighting to ensure blind individual’s access to Medicaid. Thank you for writing me regarding this issue; if you or your group has any future concerns please feel free to contact my office.

Sincerely,
[cid:image003.jpg at 01CD26F9.B881F810]
Senator Joe Keaveny
4th District, City of St. Louis


From: Elton Thomas [mailto:ethomas at lhbindustries.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:31 AM
Subject: Please Fully Rostore Health Care for the Blind:

Hello Senator,

        Blind Missourians will be affected badly if cuts are made to the Blind Health Care or Health Net from HB 2011. Being blind has very high costs such as:


1.     Hiring drivers:

2.     Hiring house cleaning services:

3.     Purchases of adaptive technology not offered by health care providers:

a.     Bar code scanners for grocery shopping:

b.     Book readers:

c.      Traffic light indicators:

d.     Braille additions to house hold appliances cost extra:

e.     For those who use guide dogs have extra expenses such as food and grooming:

f.       Adaptive technology for using computers such as JAWS is very expensive:

g.      Extra co pays for doctors appointments. Many blind folks have several health problems related to their blindness such as diabetes:

Also think about the folks who are hires by these Blind Missourians that may lose their jobs because they won’t be able to afford them if Medicaid is cut.

Thank you,

Elton Thomas
LHB Industries(Berkeley)
Production Supervisor
8833 Fleischer Place
Saint Louis, MO. 63134
http://www.lhbindustries.com<http://www.lhbindustries.com/>
Phone: 314-423-4333 Ext. 135
Cell: 314-795-1356
eMail: ethomas at lhbindustries.com

The Mission of the Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis is to assist individuals who are legally blind maintain dignity and independence by making available employment, education and support services.

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