We are now well back into the debate regarding what items need to be cut to cover the state budget shortfall. As a health care provider in one of our state’s busiest emergency departments, it appalls me that we are even asked to consider decreasing already low Medicaid reimbursements for such things as dental care for our children but asked to support the concept of spending $25 million for laptops for our middle-school students. Can our folks in Augusta truly be in favor of this plan?

I’ve been very supportive of most of Gov. King’s initiatives, but this is where I draw the line. The visual picture I have is that of a 12-year-old with a mouthful of cavities sitting down with his new laptop computer. In fact, monies from the laptop program alone would be enough to fund the increases of LD 477 (a bill to increase Medicaid funding for dental care) for the next 12 years. In addition, the state would be eligible to receive $2 in return for every $1 it spends on Medicaid, translating into a benefit of $50 million for the state were those laptop funds turned into healthcare dollars.

This increased funding will benefit all our children, not just seventh-graders. Spending dollars on care for children now will prevent not only pain and suffering for our little ones, but also serious medical problems for them as they grow into productive adults.

The monies are available to fund LD 477 to improve dental care for Maine’s underprivileged children. I propose we do the right thing and see that they get the health care they need – not laptops.

Mary E. Jude, FNP-C, MPH

Orrington