Feedback on Letter to the Editor I'm writing, if you would please.

[derbstyron]

Note for Context: FL just passed a bill to cut many psychiatric drugs from the medicaid prescription (e.g. they will no longer pay for them). Thanks for the feedback.

Dear Editor:

I am continually disillusioned by this state's treatment of those less fortunate. The recent dismantling of the Medicaid prescription program, or "reform," in the eyes of Jeb Bush and the legislature continues this trend. I was brought up that one should always extend a helping hand to those who are in need. It is apparent that those in this state's government are far more interested in simply and completely slicing off the hands of those who dare to ask for support..

I suppose it truly should come as no shock considering that those in charge of this reduction can't even get basic facts straight. In arguing for this reduction, the previous cuts to a multitude of Bi-polar disorder drugs were mentioned, with Senate Health Care Chairman Durrell Peaden using the justification that, "nobody's died that I know of." A chilling statement from a "Health Care Chairman" which is, at best, disingenuous, and at worst, borderline incompetence. Mr. Peaden should do some research and speak with the National Institute of Mental Health which will gladly relay to him the fact that BiPolar Disorder and Depression, when not treated adequately, account for nearly 90 PERCENT of the annual suicides of teens, adults and the elderly.

I myself am a Mental Health patient, now on disability and Medicaid, whose life has been shattered by my disease: In the past two years alone I have lost relationships, a wonderful well paying job, which I truly loved, a multitude of friends and seen my time as an Eckerd College student alone systematically dismantled by this disease. And, of course, without my job I lost my health insurance.

I am now fully dependent on Medicaid and the drugs they provide to save me. And what do I get for my arduous day to day struggle to keep fighting? A "compassionate" conservative governor and "values" filled legislature, who will fight to their dying breath for a woman who is already brain dead but apparently are willing to let me die, killing me slowly by year by year taking away the only drugs that keep me alive to fight this disease (of which, Zyprexa is - I mean WAS - one).

How do these people sleep at night? Does their indecency know no boundaries?

It has long been my opinion that one can define the greatness of a country by how it takes care of those in greatest need. And judge a state by the same.

My country and my state have made their decision: they don't care.

And my soul weeps for those who are in pain and whose suffering will only now grow worse.

[lebkuchen]

1. Wow! Nominated!

Thousands of retirees in your state, who can't afford to pay for prescriptions, will certainly relate to your situation. Thank you for your letter. My only suggestion is that when you send it to your paper, put your representatives on the CC.

[Wetzelbill]

3. It's sad, The Bushes are some sick puppies.

[derbstyron]

4. Thanks. I plan to.

I'm also going to e-mail it a few other of our big papers, besides the St.Pete Times, where the editorial appeared: Miami Herald; Orlando Sentinal and, of course, our capitol's paper the Tallahassee Democrat.

Oh and, of course, I'll be e-mailing Jeb a copy. Just to piss him off.

[Wetzelbill]

2. Try this, I used my writer's skills and touched it up for you

See if you like this or want to do some more tinkering, or whatever. :)


Dear Editor:

I am disillusioned by Florida's treatment of the less fortunate. The recent dismantling of the Medicaid prescription program, or reform, as Jeb Bush and the Legislature call it, continues this trend. I was brought up that one should always extend a helping hand to those who are in need. Apparently, those in this state's government are only interested in completely slicing off the hands of those who dare to ask for support..

It should come as no shock considering those in charge of this reduction can't even get the basic facts straight. In arguing for this reduction, the previous cuts to a multitude of Bi-polar disorder drugs were mentioned, with Senate Health Care Chairman Durrell Peaden using the justification that, "nobody's died that I know of." A chilling statement from a "Health Care Chairman" which is, at best, disingenuous, and at worst, borderline incompetence. Mr. Peaden should speak with the National Institute of Mental Health which will gladly relay to him the fact that BiPolar Disorder and Depression, when not treated adequately, account for nearly 90 PERCENT of the annual suicides of teens, adults and the elderly.

I am a Mental Health patient, myself, who is now on disability and Medicaid. My life has been shattered by my disease: In the past two years alone I have lost relationships, a well paying job, which I truly loved, a multitude of friends and seen my time as an Eckerd College student systematically dismantled by this disease. And, of course, without my job I lost my health insurance.

I am now fully dependent on Medicaid and the drugs they provide to save me. So, what do I get for my arduous day by day struggle to keep fighting? A "compassionate" conservative governor and "values" filled legislature, who will fight to their dying breath for a woman who is already brain dead but apparently are willing to let me die. Killing me slowly by year by year, while taking away the only drugs that keep me alive to fight this disease (of which, Zyprexa is - I mean WAS - one).

How do these people sleep at night? Does their indecency know no boundaries?

It has long been my opinion that one can define the greatness of a country by the way it takes care of those with the greatest needs. And you can judge a state by the same test. My country and my state have made their decision.

They don't care.

And my soul weeps for those who are in pain and whose suffering will now only grow worse.

[derbstyron]

5. Thanks. Your suggestions are good.

I wrote this real quickly so I'd planned on having to tinker with it throughout the day. Thanks for the help. :D

[Wetzelbill]

6. no problem