State is negligent on health benefits for former welfare clients
While Del. Samuel I. Rosenberg and his colleagues are to be commended for asking the state to "report" to the General Assembly about its efforts to make those exiting welfare "aware that they may continue to qualify for Medicaid," the legislative action misses the mark and perpetuates a basic misunderstanding of the law ("Former welfare clients retain right to Medicaid," letters, May 28).
Federal law requires states to provide transitional medical assistance for 12 months to those leaving welfare because of earnings and requires the state to provide these transitional benefits automatically, without the former welfare clients reapplying for them.
The state, however, has chosen to ignore this requirement, terminating health care benefits when clients leave welfare, then asking the nonprofit community to make them aware of their right to continued health care, should they want it.
Given the average waiting time in welfare offices, few working people have the time to rectify the state's negligence. Given the law, they have no obligation to do so.
This is not about making the working poor aware of their rights to continuing health care insurance. It is about making state officials comply with federal law.
In recent weeks, the state has taken some interim corrective steps to keep more people from losing Medical Assistance. Now, it must give high priority to helping those already cut-off and to fixing the system for the long term.
The state's performance with respect to the law about continuing medical assistance confirms our belief that welfare reform is working because of the character and fortitude of those leaving welfare.
J. Peter Sabonis, Karen Czapanskiy, Baltimore
Mr. Sabonis is director of the Family Investment Program Legal Clinic. Ms. Czapanskiy is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law.
Dear Comptroller Schaefer: Catch me if you can
In response to the complaints about State Comptroller William Donald Schaefer's plan to collect sales taxes on out-of-state purchases (" 'Couch tax' prompts anger," May 30) I say, that's what happens when people elect politicians who promise the world.
People then have to dig deep and pay for the politicians to keep those promises. To those who voted for Mr. Schaefer and now don't like this plan, I say, shut up and take your medicine.
Here in the People's Republic of Maryland, we like to elect Democrats who say our taxes are not too high and they can't afford to give us a tax cut. Even though it is our money, they act as if it's theirs to give back to us as a favor.
Now we find the lengths this state will go to in relieving us of our cash.
It is funny that the same Democrats who squeal about personal liberty and privacy are now planning to set up checkpoints to accost every van and panel truck entering this state from the south.
I plan to go to Delaware for as many of my purchases as possible.
Catch me if you can.
Michael D. Poliszuk, Waldorf
It's not what you know, but who you know
It pays to have friends in high places. Take the case of Larry Tolliver ("Tolliver to head tax law team," May 27).
Mr. Tolliver has the good fortune to be close to state Comptroller William Donald Schaefer. When Mr. Schaefer was governor, he transferred Mr. Tolliver from command of a small contingent of state troopers at the State House to the superintendency of the troopers' headquarters.
Mr. Tolliver's tenure there was comparatively brief and undistinguished.
Now, Mr. Schaefer has appointed Mr. Tolliver to a new unit that will enforce the law requiring purchasers of out-of-state merchandise to pay a sales tax that has been ignored in the past.
It's good to have friends in high places.
Abner Kaplan, Baltimore
Wellness Community helps cancer patients, families
I found M. Dion Thompson's article "The Education of a Hopkins Man" (May 27) very poignant and valuable. What stood out for me was the description of Jason Altman's feelings as he watched his mother battle cancer.
I know what he went through because my mother also died of cancer.
Mr. Altman talked about moments when he "felt utterly alone," when his "life seemed to unravel," when he'd "cry and he didn't know why." For family members and friends of cancer patients, these are difficult times to bear.
I'm relieved Mr. Altman found support through his university, but I want to let other people know of a special organization, the Wellness Community, that has a chapter in Baltimore.
It provides, free of charge, a community of hope, learning and support that brings together people with cancer and their loved ones, making them feel less isolated and improving their quality of life.
The Wellness Community can make a vital difference, especially for college students, but also for people of all ages as they deal with a cancer diagnosis for themselves or someone they love.
Kimberly Owens, Towson
Cancer drugs only help if we can afford them
Carolyn Aldige's letter warned that a bill to make medicines more affordable for senior citizens would discourage the research that provides our best hope of winning the war on cancer ("Price control on drugs could hurt cancer battle," May 31).
But what good is a pill that cures cancer if no one can afford it?
Jane Pflaum, Baltimore
More gun laws won't do any good
The Sun's latest editorial on guns was full of flaws ("Congress conjures illusion of gun control," May 28).
It overlooked the fact that most firearms now come with safety devices -- locks, locking boxes or, in some cases, magazine locks and integral key locks. Why pass another gun control law whose goal has been achieved voluntarily?
The editorial quoted President Clinton calling gun shows "illegal arms bazaars." But, in fact, those shows are a place where law-abiding people gather to buy and sell firearms, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.
The editorial said that "background checks will help though they are not enough." What would be enough for The Sun -- firearms confiscation?
Of nearly 6,000 students caught bringing a gun to school last year, only 13 have been prosecuted. How will another rarely enforced anti-gun law stop violent children from committing more violent acts?
The police and court systems are simply not interested in enforcing existing firearms laws and the criminals know it.
Sanford Abrams, Baltimore
The writer is vice president of the Maryland Licensed Firearms Dealers Association Inc.
'Star Wars' exhibits diversity, not racism
Allegations of racial stereotypes in George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I" are not only unfounded, they are truly revealing ("Is 'Star Wars' a racial menace, too?" May 28).
If anything, Lucas has gone out of his way to envision a diverse universe that features interaction among many different races and species.
It is no stretch to give nonhuman characters, who have presumably been forced to learn English, accents characteristic of non-native English-speaking peoples here on Earth.
What is surprising is the hypocrisy of critics who attack the movie on these grounds.
In identifying certain physical features and personality traits as indicative of a racial stereotype, they identify themselves as the true racists.
Jim Pociluyko, Baltimore
So, now there are racial stereotypes in "Star Wars." Can a white man ever do the right thing when it comes to race? Apparently not.
If George Lucas had made "The Phantom Menace" using only white actors and voices he would have been denounced as a racist who discriminated against black, Asian and Hispanic actors.
The film tries to show intergalactic diversity, and Lucas is attacked as a racist for his efforts.
There's just no pleasing some folks.
Michael Holden, Chestertown
To our readers
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Pub Date: 6/03/99