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Guest Forum: Bring home more federal tax dollars By Connie Saldana Ashland Thousands of Oregonians are now suffering from lack of prescription medication, health care, mental health assistance and substance abuse treatment because of state budget cuts. There is a partial solution which would not cost Oregonians one additional tax dollar. It consists of getting more of our federal tax dollars back into the state. We must request our federal senators and representative to push to have the Medicaid rate increase. Medicaid is the federal program that pays states to provide health care for low income children, unemployed families and adults with disabilities. In Oregon that health care is provided through our innovative Oregon Health Plan. Medicaid also pays for long term care through our cost-effective system in which seniors and disabled people of all ages receive care in their homes or in a variety of facilities. Medicaid is always a critical component of the State's safety-net services: It is especially necessary in times of economic downturn and high unemployment. Not only is Medicaid important for the health of Oregonians, but it is essential for our economy. For every dollar that Oregon spends on acute or long term care, Medicaid pays the state another $1.50. (The state pays 40 percent and the feds, 60 percent.) That means that by spending on healthcare for its residents, Oregon actually brings back some of the tax dollars it sends to Washington DC. While providing health care for Oregon's neediest residents, the funds also pay wages and purchase goods. In federal fiscal year 2001, Oregon's investment in Medicaid generated over $3.5 billion in increased output of goods and services and created almost 40,000 jobs in the health and related sectors of the state's economy. Locally, Medicaid dollars provide jobs to hundreds of in-home care-givers and people who work in foster homes, assisted living and nursing facilities. Doctors, their staffs, pharmacists, counselors and case managers depend on Medicaid. Even taxi and bus drivers who take people to doctor appointments are impacted when Medicaid funds do not come to our area. When Oregon cuts health services from the state's general fund, due to budget shortfalls, the state receives fewer federal Medicaid matching dollars. In that event, even fewer medical and long term care services can be provided. States around the nation are suffering from the same dilemma. Congress holds a key to the solution. It could raise the percentage that Oregon receives for Medicaid services. By increasing the "Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage" Oregon would recover $330 million additional federal funds over the next 18 months. Our U.S. Senators, Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Walden have the power to influence that change. Please contact them to urge their support for and increase to the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage. These funds are vital to the health and economy of Oregon. Election Letters: A few good reasons to pass the levy I'd like to mention just a few of the many very good reasons to vote "yes" for the Ashland Youth Activity Levy. You can probably think of many more to add to these: Jamie, Nathan, Tess, Simon, Rachel, Bobby, Micah, Soleil, Grace, Nick, Alysse, Woody, Sylvia, Garrett, Hannah, Joseph, Elliot, Spencer, Nora, Ivy, Zeke, Derek, Bailey, Sam, Lucy, Maddy, Maddie, Clara, Kai, Rheana, Laura, Rebecca, Austin, Abeni, Tias, Ryan, Ian, Greg, Ellie, Alex, Noah, Kelby, Kelly, Daniel, Franny, Lucas, Caleb, Jordan, Robin, Casey, Antonina, Elise, Josh, Kestral, Rayna, Katie, Elisa, Colin, Robin, Eliza, Olivia, Adeline, Weston, Gideon, Kriya, Ben, Adam, Kacee, Zack, Travis, Anahe, Justin, Kelby, Corey, Brenna, Sarah, Kendall, Hillary, Kristen, Miles, Mason, Decklan, Griffin, Matt, Rose, Charlie, Ayumi, Ariel, Kayla, Rissa, Leland, Connor, Stephan, Ashley, Tori, Camden, Aidan, Audrey, Tommaso, Koko, Kaia, Danielle, Ana, Logan, Erica, Jesse, Lilly, Zaya, Amanda, Ethan, Simone, Christina, Phillip, Brendan, Scott, Abby, Chris, Claire, Elijah, Catlin, Hugh, Jackson, Walker, Michael, Serena, Sophie, Lewis, Ellen, Lindsay, Yeruti, Kyle, Gwyn, Layla, Kelsey, Natalie, Drew, Vida, Reed, Alyson, Aimee, Whitney, Josi, Kayla, Tucker, April, Matt, Chris, Tory, Ellen, Sami, Tobin, Luke, Claire, Danielle, Anna, Ariel, Jay, Aly, Natalie, Josh, Chance, Harper, Paris, Casey, Alex, Corey, Juliana, Whitney, Caitlin, Briana, Emily, Kyra � Julia Roupp, Ashland Thivierge for school board I am writing in support of Ellie Thivierge for the school board. Ellie is a good friend and neighbor of mine. Like many people who know Ellie, I have seen her as the supportive and involved parent she is - working closely with teachers at each of the schools her daughters have attended (including three years on the AMS Site Council). Many people, however, do not realize how extensive Ellie's management experience (in health care) has been. Ellie combines solid "business sense" with compassion and sensitivity to student, teacher, and school needs. She put these qualities to work as a highly effective member of last year's school closure committee. I think she will make an excellent member of our school board. Carol Coye Benson, Ashland Dedicated to a new generation "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society." - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. It is our duty to educate this generation of children just as previous generations have educated us. Please join me in voting yes on the Ashland Youth Activities Levy. Edwin Johnson, Ashland Full support for youth levy With the upcoming Youth Levy vote approaching, I am writing with my full support for our Ashland schools. One of the qualities that have brought many people to move into our town is the excellent quality of our schools. After being a volunteer in the education of our primary students, I can attest to the excellence of our exceptional teachers and their devotion to our children. As a mother with children in the Middle School and High School, I give my wholehearted support to the Youth Levy. With this levy, we have been able to support our schools music, education, and sports. My children have been active in both orchestra and band. As a mother of a teen who has participated in both water polo and swimming, I am proud to boast that our swim team came in second in the state for academics, with an average of 3.66 GPA. Our students are made richer for their participation in the arts and sports. Let us show how proud we are of our children and give the schools our 100 percent support. Ara Johnson, Ashland Join her in voting for Parker I am writing to support Heidi Parker for Ashland School Board (Position #2). Heidi is one of the finest people I know. She is a leader who believes in soliciting and listening to citizen input. She advocates for small classes in community-based schools, and she is dedicated to finding long-term solutions to the school funding crisis. Heidi has demonstrated her commitment to our school district by organizing trips to Salem to bring our case for better funding to state legislators. She is the coordinator of canvassing for this year's Youth Activities Levy. For four years she served on the Lincoln Elementary School Site Council. For the past two years she has given scores of hours to help revise and improve the drug and alcohol policy at Ashland High School. With quiet determination, Heidi was instrumental in creating a community of volunteer counselors who now serve at the high school without charge. A mother of four, two Ashland High graduates and two still in the Ashland schools, Heidi believes that every child deserves the finest education possible, and she has proven that she will do the work necessary to make that goal a reality. I hope you will join me in voting for Heidi Parker for Ashland School Board. Ruth Alexander, Ashland LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -