HEALTH CARE
Deal should lead on Medicaid, too
Gov. Nathan Deal has been advocating for the 300 children with epilepsy or other seizure conditions who may get relief by using cannabis (marijuana) oil. His compassion is laudable in this case.
However, according to Medicaid advocates, around 10 people will die daily because they are not on Medicaid. Every month Governor Deal refuses to expand Medicaid, 300 people will die. He has stepped forward to help 300 children; I hope he will step forward to help prevent the deaths of 300 people who have insufficient health care. People could be covered under Medicaid very soon after he signs the measure.
Deal says after the 100 percent coverage (by the federal government) of the costs to expand Medicaid over the next three years, Georgia can’t afford the 10 percent from then on. We lose 10 people a day, 300 per month or 3,600 per year. Isn’t that costing too much?
D. GORDON DRAVES, EAST POINT
GOVERNANCE
Ethics panel needs complete makeover
Every Georgian should be outraged by our state government’s failure to provide credible attempts at ethics reform. The General Assembly and Gov. Nathan Deal created a farce of an ethics commission that has failed to perform its duties. Governor Deal’s plan to expand the commission from five to 13 members will waste more time and money; appointing more political cronies to this agency will not solve its problems.
Fire Holly LaBerge and most of the commissioners; find another state known for having a fair and functioning ethics commission with laws simple to understand and enforce; then, implement them in our state. Otherwise, we should disband the ethics commission, and admit politicians are not inclined to provide one that works and the voters can’t make them.
TONY GARDNER, CUMMING
EDUCATION
Looking forward to new APS chief
You don’t make education your life’s work unless you love it. Whether you’re a bus driver, a teacher, cafeteria worker or superintendent, it takes dedication, skill and passion. On Monday, Meria Carstarphen was appointed by the Atlanta Board of Education to be our next superintendent. She’s already stirred up some controversy in Atlanta, but you know what? That doesn’t scare us, because we have, too!
We all know it takes courage to accomplish great things. Her previous experience, willingness to dive into tough situations, and personal drive prove that Atlanta may have finally found the superintendent we deserve. She has a clear record of success, and a vision of how to lead APS to higher academic achievement. We agree with Meria that every child, from Buckhead to Bankhead, deserves a chance to succeed.
ALAN LEE, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
