If Kansas freezes Medicaid, cancer patients are just a few of the many endangered
It’s our health
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 16,500 Kansans will hear the words “you have cancer” this year. Having access to health care will play a pivotal role in their survival. According to that organization’s research, those uninsured at the time of their cancer diagnosis have half the chance of surviving compared with those with insurance coverage. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever.
I am deeply disappointed in our legislators, who have opted to advance bills that would undercut health care access for our families, friends and neighbors. Kansas cancer patients could be denied coverage for new cancer treatments or tests if the Medicaid freeze bill passes. (March 24, 6A, “Kansas House advances measure freezing Medicaid for one year”)
Additionally, expanding access to short-term health plans could expose Kansans to inadequate coverage, high out-of-pocket costs and higher premiums.
I urge our lawmakers to please put politics aside and work together to ensure Kansans have access to the comprehensive and affordable care needed to prevent, detect and defeat diseases like cancer.
- Kafayat Yusuf, Kansas City, Kansas
Wasn’t the way
Physical violence is never an appropriate response. Jokes about disabilities are never appropriate. Would any comedian have joked about the deaf Oscar recipient Sunday evening? (March 29, 7A, “Short take: Will Smith’s Oscars slap was just sad”)
Perhaps the best response would have been for Will Smith to go on the stage and point out that it would be good for Chris Rock to apologize to Jada Pinkett Smith. It should definitely provide us with opportunities to discuss appropriate ways to deal with anger and offensive language.
- Marianne L. Horned, Kansas City
This is the fix?
I nearly had whiplash when the author of a March 25 letter to the editor (7A) railed against “uninformed, stupid or corrupt,” politicians and said his solution was to not vote for “any Democrat.”
Republicans refused to impeach a clearly corrupt president, refused to deny the Big Lie, looked the other way when a Republican president refused a peaceful transfer of power and incited an attack on our Capitol, and — among other anti-American moves — are making it harder than ever for Americans to vote and thumbing their noses at democracy, the basis of this great country.
I hope what I saw was a typo.
- Wil Palm, Fairway
About control
Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a law that allows people in that state to sue doctors who perform abortions. (March 25, 2A, “Idaho governor signs abortion ban modeled on Texas law”)
First, I believe no one has the right to tell me what I can do with my body, within my own skin.
Second, I object to the term “pro-life.” Everyone is pro-life; there are just those who are anti-choice.
Finally, if men could get pregnant, the right to abortion would be a non-issue.
- T.J. Snyder, Mission Hills
On their dime
Since the state of Missouri wants to control every aspect of the Kansas City Police Department, perhaps the state should also take up the whole budget for the department. (March 26, 15A, “KC passes $1.94B budget after police funding debate”) That way, the city could use its funds for fixing the city streets, bringing new business to the city and giving the rest of the city employees a raise.
It may be news to Missouri legislators, but the Tom Pendergast era ended a long time ago, so there is no real reason for the state to control Kansas City’s police department.
- George Wisniewski, Odessa
Repulsive ad
No matter your opinion regarding transgender athletes participating in sports, I just watched an ad for Missouri U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s Senate campaign that turned my stomach. In it, she refers to a trans swimmer as “a man pretending to be a woman.”
Perhaps she should sit down with some transgender people to better educate herself on the subject.
- Leslie Tomlinson, Kansas City