DEKALB CITIES
Briarcliff cityhood is most sensible choice
I personally see Briarcliff as the proposal that addresses all of DeKalb CEO Lee May’s concerns (“City creation trend leaves others behind,” Opinion, Jan. 3) about the flaws in the process of developing cities in Georgia and the possible negative impacts new cities could have on the remaining parts of the unincorporated county.
Briarcliff does not cherry pick any areas or leave any out, thereby being a sensible and all-inclusive of contiguous area of central DeKalb. Briarcliff allows all voters inside the perimeter in central DeKalb to have a voice and a vote in the cityhood debate.
The negative impact on the level of revenue by the county is not an issue if the county adjusts to a new level of needed services. Briarcliff also further counters this issue with the broad level of focused services that will lead to an increase in smart commercial development that will raise the city’s tax base and that for the entire county. That will help put money towards increased services in unincorporated areas and help refill the underfunded pension plans.
BRETT DUFFY, Decatur
POLITICS
Columnist right about GOP’s dismal record
Jay Bookman is absolutely “right on” in his evaluation and assessment of the dismal results the GOP has achieved while running state government the past 10 years. Given the dive the Georgia economy has taken and its slow recuperation when compared with the performance in the other 49 states during that time, how can voters continue to believe the Republican lines that “less government is better government,” and “cutting taxes will bring prosperity” through trickle-down economics? Hopefully Georgians will think critically about our economy and go to the polls later this year to vote for a significant change in direction.
FRANK S. LOULAN, Jonesboro
HEALTH CARE
Medicaid critic lacks backing for assertions
Mona Charen decries Medicaid’s expansion (“Medicaid’s expansion is no reason for celebration,” Jan. 8). Multiple facts are ignored or misstated. In fact, fraud in both Medicaid and Medicare is known because there is federal authority to investigate and prosecute, as opposed to private insurance that hides known fraud and abuse. Charen states, “In fact, people without health insurance get care in a variety of ways … (and) Medicaid enrollees fare worse on health outcomes than those with no health coverage at all.” This silly statement is not supported by any reference or data.
Charen cites the randomized Science journal study of Oregon patients provided Medicaid insurance in 2008. Surprise – those with insurance used the emergency room more often than those without. Charen states, “There are alternatives – like a combination of health savings accounts and catastrophic insurance – that would provide better care for the poor.” What? Charen concludes by stating, “Medicaid is a poor program because it promises benefits but squeezes provider reimbursement to keep cost down.” The new law increases Medicaid reimbursements to equal those of Medicare.
SAMUEL R. NEWCOM, M.D., Atlanta
