Taking a page from the great work done by Frameshop, I thought I'd take some of the framing techniques I've learned and apply it to something I know--my daughter's Medicaid. Recently, I sent a letter into the local newspaper that serves a county of about 730K+.
Not only did it make it in once, but they chose it to run again with some extended information. In large part, I think it was so well received because I reframed the issue... See how below the fold.
Here's the letter (modified to remove some of the specifics that would be too identifiable.)
In all the talk about rising Medicaid expenditures and taxes, I hope that the County Executive, the County Legislature, and County residents remember that behind every Medicaid payment is a person, and family, with medical needs.
When my daughter was born, I never expected to rely on Medicaid. But I do. Even though I earn a decent living, given the poor economy nationwide and high cost of living locally, my family lives largely from paycheck to paycheck.
While I'm extremely fortunate that my employer's insurance covers much of my daughter's medical expenses, Medicaid covers the remainder.
Without Medicaid, the additional expenses would quickly become a financial drain, and my family would become a much larger burden on the community.
Dealing with a serious medical condition puts enough strain on families as is, without adding financial worries to the mix.
I realize that until this country's broken health care system is fixed, there are no easy answers. Having the federal government shift Medicaid costs on to states and counties certainly hasn't helped matters.
Regardless, I do know that this community is strongest when we stand together, helping our neighbors. Even though you didn't know it, through the money you've paid in taxes, you've stood by my family during a difficult time.
Also, I'd just like to point out, that even though I've talked about reframing the issue, everything is true. In fact, if felt good to remind people the real reason we have Medicaid to begin with. To help people! 99% of the discussion in the community (A Blue City surrounded by Red suburbs in a county of over 735K) has been on the high costs, high burden, and how we must reduce the drain on the taxpayer.
The Repugs hold the County Executive seat, as well as control the county leg. Naturally, not one of them has been brave enough to mention that the reason we're paying more locally is because the slash-and-burn Republicans in Congress shifted the burden to states and counties to pay for the damn, immoral quagmire in Iraq!
What's more, as I mentioned, my wife and I are fortunate. My insurance pays for most of our medical expenses. In fact, our finances don't qualify for Medicaid; my daughter's medical condition does. We've talked with people who either don't have Medicaid filling the gap, or who relied entirely on Medicaid. I personally don't know which is worse: the financial drain and working a 2nd job to pay expenses; or relying entirely on Medicaid and receiving, for the most part, substandard care and supplies (the supplies being probably the more critical aspect for extended illnesses.)
But I guess those are stories for another diary...