Dear editor:
On Nov. 3, the United States House of Representatives passed a measure to extend the Children's Health Insurance Program. The program is wonderful, as it helps children from lower-income families receive the medical care that they deserve.
However, that same courtesy isn't extended to the disabled individuals, elderly individuals, single parents or any of the 70-plus million people in our country on Medicaid and Medicare. In order to extend the program for another five years, the bill that the House passed authorizes cuts from Medicaid and Medicare at $1 trillion and $500 million, respectively, over the next 10 years. This is a boldfaced affront to everything that our nation stands for.
It is my belief that providing health care is mandatory, but not at the expense of the disabled and geriatric. The fact that our own congressman, Bruce Westerman, voted for this measure is scandalous. Hiding behind children for the sake of cutting social services programs is a not only cruel and unusual, it will put blood on the hands of the representatives that passed the bill.
It's time to vote the people out who are only looking out for special interests. This was an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, and if it passes the Senate, it will have worked.
Brian McIntyre, 27
Hot Springs
Editorial on 11/14/2017