Fight MassHealth Cuts

We need to take action immediately to stop further cuts in MassHealth!

The state keeps thinking up new ways to kick people off of MassHealth, the state's low-income health insurance program, or to disqualify new applicants. The latest move is to try to change the criteria that are used to determine if someone is disabled. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services has applied to the federal government for a waiver that would allow it to use criteria that are different than the federal guidelines. This would mean that someone who qualified for SSDI or SSI could still be found not to be disabled by the state of Massachusetts. We all know how difficult it can be to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

In addition, beginning in February, the state is planning to consider assets when determining
eligibility for MassHealth. Many people who are hurt on the job were in the workforce for years
and accumulated assets, such as retirement savings. When they lose their jobs, they often lose their health insurance. They need MassHealth! The state is trying to force them to lose
everything before they can qualify for MassHealth. This will only ensure that they are locked in a cycle of poverty and require more and more government services.

Stavros Center for Independent Living is organizing a protest for February 1, the day the asset
test takes effect. The location of the protest has not been decided yet. In the meantime, let's bombard state officials with letters, email's and phone calls. Here are some suggestions for people to contact:

Governor Mitt Romney
Goffice@state.ma.us
(include your full name and postal address in your email)
State House
Office of the Governor
Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4005

Ronald Preston
Ron.Preston@state.ma.us
Secretary
Executive Office of Health And Human Services
One Ashburton Place
Room 1109
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7600

Contact your state representative and senator.

Stanley C. Rosenberg
sen.stanrosenberg@senate.state.ma.us

Peter V. Kocot
rep.peterkocot@hou.state.ma.us
He represents Northampton, Montgomery, Hatfield, Southampton, Westhampton

John W. Scibak
rep.johnscibak@hou.state.ma.us
He represents Hadley, Easthampton, South Hadley

Ellen Story
rep.ellenstory@hou.state.ma.us
She represents Amherst, Granby

Rep. Daniel Keenan
Rep.DanielKeenan@hou.state.ma.us
repkeenan@cs.com
Rep. Keenan is the chairman of the Medicaid committee of the state Legislature. We suggest everyone contact him, but it is especially important if you live in one of the towns he represents: Agawam, Granville, Russell or Southwick.His office address is 375 Walnut Street Extension, Agawam, MA 01001
(413) 786-4545.

A letter to a newspaper would not hurt, either.
letters@repub.com
The Republican
Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 2350
Springfield, MA 01102

letter@globe.com
Letters to the Editor
The Boston Globe
P.O. Box 2378
Boston, MA 02107-2378

Let's fight back!