Loaves and fishes (Forsloff photo)[/caption]Gordon Matilla---Headstart this year has received its largest cut in funding since the program began. In the meantime, Medicaid, which serves seniors and persons with disabilities the most, and special meal and transportation programs are also having trouble because of funding cuts. The old and the young in America seem to be suffering more than other groups.
Cuts to Headstart have been about $400 million this year. This means many poor preschool children will not be receiving the educational assistance that prepares them for school.
Cuts to Medicaid have been part of state budget cuts, while the Republican legislators in Washington have proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security. These programs serve individuals over the age of 65, even as many lost retirement income and some their homes during the past recession, making financial hardships for many.
The GOP is seeking to cut school lunch programs. These lunch programs serve many children who are poor and who often lack balanced, nutritious meals. Already there have been reductions in funding.
As the housing market heats up, many rentals and homes for sale are going beyond the seniors’ budgets. Retirement facilities that have independent living through assistance programs are not always adequate in terms of nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional stimulation, even as the price keeps going up as the population increases with waiting lists for some of the better programs. They too find budgetary problems get in the way of providing services.
It’s not a good time to be a child or a senior citizen in America especially if you are poor.
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Gordon Matilla is a full-time English teacher who also has taught journalism and likes to write on social issues.
