I read with great interest about the meeting where the shortcomings of the new privatization of services in Indiana were discussed.

I am a former Madison County caseworker and have been helping a former client for two years financially so she will not starve and go without critical medicine. She lost benefits when she was homeless and has subsequently been denied three times by Medicaid. She is very ill and tries to exist on $623/month!

Yes, people are dying in Indiana because the services are not being given to the most needy. One thing Hoosiers should know, is that Indiana is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not use the fact that Social Security may deem you disabled as enough criteria to receive Medicaid benefits. Instead Indiana tortures its disabled citizens by volumes of paperwork, appeals and hearings.

Adopting a new procedure followed by 48 other states could streamline the process and allow the most needy to receive benefits quicker. It could also save lives!

Perhaps someone needs to file a lawsuit against the State of Indiana for discrimination against the disabled. If the federal government deems you disabled and needing benefits, shouldn’t that be enough for Indiana?

Cindy Barrett

Cary, N.C.