Letter to the Editor: Taking stock
BY George Gibbs, Tulsa
Thursday, January 31, 2013
1/31/13 at 8:09 AM
It is very encouraging to receive the news that the state tax receipt collections are significantly higher than in the past few years. That's encouraging because the Oklahoma Legislature and governor will have a great opportunity for increasing the long overdue reimbursement rate to long-term and community care providers that serve seniors.
The governor and legislators surely are aware that if there is no increase in funding for the long-term and community care providers, many of these organizations will be compelled to reduce the services they provide to the aged and disadvantaged. Or, they will go out of business altogether, further handicapping the ability of seniors to find quality services in the state.
Of course, that requires the Legislature to work with the federal government that will more than match, dollar for dollar, what is spent on long-term and community care programs. I know the governor and Legislature will realize how important it is for the aged and disadvantaged to receive quality services in Oklahoma.
I do not know of any other program that Oklahoma can invest in to improve the quality of life for seniors and the disadvantaged. Thank you for taking advantage of this great opportunity.
Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com.
