Glenn Lapp: Healthcare debate isn’t just political, it’s a matter of life and death

I was a clinical psychologist for 25 years, working with seriously emotionally ill clients in Stanislaus County. My specialty was treating women with severe trauma. All of my clients were on Medi-Cal or the Affordable Care Act. I am writing this letter to voice my clients’ concerns.

Many of my patients lived in continual fear that the federal government would take action, leading to their loss of treatment and prevent them from receiving life-sustaining medication. The Republicans’ America Heath Care Act will severely curtail their ability to receive the care they require and potentially negatively impact over 40 percent of the population of Stanislaus County. The bill being drafted in secrecy by the Senate needs to be open for public examination.

For many of my former clients, the loss of Medicaid reimbursement is not only a fiscal issue; it is the difference between life and death.

This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Glenn Lapp: Healthcare debate isn’t just political, it’s a matter of life and death."