To the Editor,
To the Editor,
Medicaid is one of the most important programs the nation has. It is in existence to serve our most vulnerable and underrepresented populations; to give them heath care coverage when they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. In a political climate where the only option being proposed to deal with our debt crisis is budget cuts, the essential service of Medicaid is under threat. It is crucial to preserve this vital institution that provides healthcare coverage for children, the poor and minorities so that the nation continues to promote racial justice and healthy lives for all people.
Cuts to Medicaid would disproportionately impact minority families and push us further from achieving racial equality in this country. Nearly 30 percent of Black, Latino and Native American Families rely on Medicaid. A recent study in Oregon of people with a similar economic standing found those with Medicaid lived much healthier and productive lives than those not receiving Medicaid because they received Medicaid benefits. It is unjust and unequal to allow the wealthy to continue to obscenely profit while the livelihood of people of color is being disproportionately undermined by budget cuts at the state and federal level. We must fight for the continuing existence of Medicaid so that we can create greater economic racial and economic equality.
There is no doubt that America needs to reexamine its fiscal solvency and reposition the nation on a path of fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Children, minorities and the poor should not have to shoulder the burden of massive budget cuts in order to reach a balanced budget. In an era where we’ve watched corporate profits skyrocket and tax rates for the wealthiest individuals and corporations plummet, we must demand these individuals and corporations pay their fair share of taxes so that the 50+ percent of Black and Latino children who rely on Medicaid don’t have to see their services cut. We must protect the health of our communities and support economic and racial justice by preserving the vital benefits of Medicaid.
Philip Pantaleo
The article “Asian American Students Disadvantaged by College Admissions Process” (Aug. 3-16, 2011) leaves out an important part of the admissions puzzle for Asian American (and all) students. There is undoubtedly bias in elite college admissions, but there is also the fact that many individual students do not take advantage of the opportunity to make their applications stand out in a sea of candidates with similar scores and activities.
A college may spend only 10 minutes per application, so it is vital to quickly highlight what makes your student more appealing than another. Some parents, particularly those who are from countries where college admissions are based solely on test rank as well as those who have not been through the elite college admissions process themselves, do not realize the crucial importance of the subjective parts of the application. Elite colleges are not always looking for the best students, but they are looking for the most interesting ones.
Lyn Moeller
Moeller College Consulting, Seattle
