REUTERS
Demonstrators hold signs during a press conference to discuss cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Tax Credit, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
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Lately, we hear about the Trump Administration and a Republican Congress targeting two federal programs, Medicaid and SNAP, for massive reductions. These are basic safety net programs, absolutely essential in the lives of millions of people facing economic hardships. But despite the paycheck-to-paycheck existence of so many of our fellow citizens, there’s been too little discussion of the personal suffering this would cause here in Hawaii. Now, thanks to a recent article, we know (“Potential cuts in Medicaid could be ‘devastating’ for isles,” Star-Advertiser, May 5).
Nina Wu’s article emphasizes exactly how dependent so many of our island people are on benefits these programs provide. Medicare covers care for 400,000 Hawaii residents, 1 in 3 of our children and pays for 1 in 3 births. If cuts are implemented, the state would be forced to raise taxes or cut non-medical items from its budget.
This is the kind of journalism we so desperately need today.
Noel Kent
Manoa
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