Twenty two percent of Carbon County residents rely on Medical Assistance (Medicaid) for access to health care. Every year our neighbors on Medicaid are required to prove to the government that they (still) can’t afford health care.

Starting next year, these same neighbors will also be required to prove that they work or volunteer 80 hours a month, are students, or have a disability. Rep. Mackenzie, who voted for these changes, twice, says they are necessary to prevent fraud and abuse, so we can afford to give every American a tax break.

I’m all for tax relief for hard working families, and for preventing fraud and abuse. I just don’t think making our neighbors jump through more hoops to get the services they need seems like a good strategy.

Why not target the fraud and abuse of billionaire tax evaders?

Come to think of it, does every American need a tax cut? The wealthiest man in the world is an American. I think he can afford to pay some taxes.

Let’s get real. These new rules have nothing to do with preventing fraud and abuse. They exist simply to make it harder to get services. In hopes that more vulnerable people will fall through the cracks.

Because Mackenzie voted to slash social spending by billions of dollars. Because he cares more about giving tax breaks to his wealthy donors than whether his most vulnerable constituents live or die.

Let’s vote him out in November.

Peter Christine

Kunkletown