Mail letters to Letters, Santa Fe Reporter, PO Box 2306, Santa Fe NM 87504, deliver them to 132 E. Marcy St., fax them to 988-5348, e-mail them to editor@sfreporter.com, or use our online form.
FAMILIES LOSE
The Reporter's recent article on automatic closure of Medicaid cases, known as "autoclosure," shines some light on a little understood practice that has caused tens of thousands of low-income New Mexicans-most of them children-to lose health care coverage [Outtakes, May 2: "
"]. Unfortunately, what autoclosure actually entails wasn't made clear in the article.
Autoclosure is a system in which HSD's computers act on their own, without any human involvement, to terminate Medicaid eligibility. If no one tells the computer to keep a case open, it's closed automatically. It doesn't matter whether the reason no command was given is that the client didn't submit necessary information for renewal or because an overworked caseworker wasn't able to process the paperwork on time.
When people who rely on Medicaid for their health care lose coverage, they lose access to needed care. As Dr. Laurence Shandler pointed out in the Reporter's article, that leads to poorer health outcomes. When we're trying to ensure that every New Mexican has health coverage, autoclosure is the wrong way to go.
Ellen Pinnes
Santa Fe
HELP FOR KIDS
The article on state Medicaid policies is very welcome, but I wish the author had asked state officials about an important program called the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This program is part of Medicaid and faces a constant struggle for financing.
What SCHIP does is allow states to cover or share the coverage of the medical expenses for qualifying low-income children who do not have health insurance but who also do not meet Medicaid eligibility levels. According to the Anne E Casey Foundation, about 80,000 children below the age of 17 have no health insurance in New Mexico (2004 figures).
I work with RESULTS, an international organization that advocates for justice issues, and we are asking our congressional representatives to work for the extension of SCHIP into 2008, something that has not been acted on yet. If SCHIP stays in force and gets enough funds to cover more children, we can reduce the number of uninsured in our state.
Charles E Cole
Santa Fe
SOUTH DEFENSE
Thank you for your article about gay immigrants [Cover story, April 25: "
"]. It was great to read about the wonderful things these men are doing in our community.
So, I wonder, with the excellent coverage of this particular community and the gathering spot of Salon D' Muah on Rufina, how can you "joke" in the "7 Days" piece [Outtakes, April 25] that the new movie theater is the only good thing happening on the south side?
Inevitably, most of the folks interviewed and those others discussed in your cover article live on the south side. This is the most affordable area in Santa Fe. It is also one of the most vibrant areas of town, with small boutiques, carnicerías (butcher shops/stores) and a terrific paletería (shop selling homemade popsicles and ice cream) tucked behind Santa Fe's big chains.
Given all the great businesses and young families here, it makes me think that the too-common divide of race/national origin and class moved you to comment that nothing good is happening on this side of town. That's unacceptable. As a newspaper, you have a responsibility to the community to open minds, not perpetuate these tired stereotypes.
And for those of you who will hold up the recent homicide as evidence of the violent nature of my side of town: What about the series of sexual assaults happening in South Capitol? What about the burglaries that are spreading across our city? And what of the domestic violence that plagues the entire state of New Mexico every hour of every day? Violence is not limited to one part of our city, nor is the "good" or the "bad."
Alena Schaim
Santa Fe
FRUIT OFFENSE
In response to the Rutgers women's basketball team incident, the actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein penned an op-ed article for The New York Times (April 13, 2007) that everyone would benefit from reading. Mr. Fierstein's premise stated that we have become so oblivious to prejudice that we use it in attempts to display humor or ignore it altogether. His words had a huge impact on me and I'm taking his advice to heart: "Listen around and become aware of the prejudice in everyday life."
I was reminded of his wisdom after reading a recent Total Pig column [April 18: "
"]. What exactly was your motivation for using the parenthetical phrase, "(what those fruits in Texas eat)"? In the past, you have professed ignorance of certain culinary terms-i.e., "
financier
"-so perhaps you were unaware that "fruit" has been used as a derogatory term for "homosexual." I am neither a Texan nor a homosexual, so my message to you is not based on personal affront. All I suggest is that you think twice before you write.
In addition to a quarter-century of hospitality/food and beverage/public contact experience, I am a union-affiliated, theater/film- production professional who has learned to speak her mind. So please don't dismiss me as some self-righteous crank. I urge you to read Mr. Fierstein's piece in the NYT; certainly you will find it enlightening.
Finally, the best hot dogs don't have filler. Asides concerning genealogical quirks and "shout-outs to homies" detract from the meat of your story.
Kendall Louis
Santa Fe
FOOL GIVES THANKS
We are writing to extend our gratitude to the SF Reporter and to the entire community for the continued and generous support that has been afforded to Wise Fool New Mexico over the years, and particularly over the last six months.
Wise Fool is a community-based, social justice, theater arts organization that strives to bring innovative, provocative and compelling performance arts to our area. Keeping our classes and live shows financially accessible to the local community is a core value.
Several months ago, a large truss was stolen from our studios [Outtakes, Dec. 6, 2006: "
"]. This truss was a centerpiece to an internationally commissioned show called
Flexion
. In part due to the attention the Reporter gave to our missing truss, we received a remarkable outpouring of support from the community.
We are unendingly grateful to those community members who continue to support Wise Fool during times of crisis and times of joy. Because of you, the show can continue to go on. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The Wise Fool Board of Directors
Santa Fe
Annual Manual corrections:
The correct telephone number for Compassion and Choices is 800-247-7421.
Piccolo Café serves New Mexican and American food, not Italian cuisine.
SFR regrets the errors.
The Reporter welcomes original, signed letters to the editor. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. They may be edited for clarity and space. Please include address and phone number for verification purposes; these will not be published.
Santa Fe Reporter