Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
Many people don’t understand how many ways federal dollars touch their lives. Even if they are not the direct recipients, the services we all enjoy may rely on federal dollars to continue to operate. The cuts to our national park staffing were an early reminder of this. In Mendocino County, our network of five strong Federally Qualified Health Centers and one Rural Health Center relies heavily on federal grants and patient revenue from Medi- Cal (California’s Medicaid program) and Medicare. Under the current administration, our local health centers are under a constant state of fear that they could lose any or all federal dollars.
What would that mean to you? Your rural healthcare could collapse. Although Federally Qualified Health Centers are typically safety net clinics for Medi-Cal and Medicare recipients, in our county, many of these clinics are sole providers and serve Medi-Cal, Medicare and those with private insurance. The collapse or significant scaling back of clinic services means that the whole county loses out whether people are insured or not.
If you support Anderson Valley Health Center, Redwood Coast Medical Services, Long Valley Health Center, Mendocino Coast Clinics, MCHC Health Centers and Baechtel Creek Medical Clinic, please consider contacting your elected representatives to voice your support for Community Health Center funding and protecting Medicaid and Medicare.
Wishing health for all,
Chloe Guazzone, Executive Director, Anderson Valley Health Center