Letters to the editor

Medicaid cuts will further damage Socorro

Dear Editor,

The slow pace of change here gives Socorroans insulation from the ongoing crisis of big city life.

Nonetheless, change does come.

For several years we have observed increasing abandoned store-fronts and restaurant closures.

Socorro’s next bit of decay could involve medical services.

According to kff.org, Medicaid insures one third of adults, and more than one half of NM’s children.

4/5 of the cost of Medicaid dollars are from federal, not state, sources.

For Trump and Congress to come close to the 1500 billion they want to cut from the budget, they can eliminate tax cuts for the wealthy, cut the military budget, cut Social Security, or cut Medicaid.

One guess where they will go first.

Even us fortunate folks that don’t need Medicaid have family or friends who do.

The ER at Socorro General treats all comers, insured or not. However, if many Socorroans are ejected from Medicaid, I expect lost reimbursements to injure our local providers and perhaps lead to closures.

If this is not the change you voted for November, I suggest you write letters and make phone calls too!

Richard Sonnenfeld

Socorro