Letter: DOE must pursue Medicaid funds

I completely agree with the editorial, “Students need Medicaid funds” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Aug. 27).

The state Department of Education would do well to put forth its utmost effort to obtain more federal funding for special education students, which would free up state income for other needs in the department.

With a possible gain of $25 million, it would easily be worth the DOE’s time to hire two or three people to pursue these funds, even if it were their only job responsibility. What usually happens is a “penny-wise, pound-foolish” move, a task added onto someone who is already overworked.

An ideal candidate for this position would be a parent of a special education student, as many of them already are familiar with the Medicaid enrollment process and requirements. These parents have a vested interest in the special education system’s success.

Linda Stringer

Aliamanu