NEW HEALTH PLAN

SWITCH TO QEXA DIFFICULT FOR DISABLED

I am a disabled person who had my insurance changed from Medicaid FFS to QExA/'Ohana Care. I would like to share with your readers the problem I and many others are facing with this new program. First off, none of my providers will join this program but they all participated with Medicaid. Why? The reimbursement is ridiculously small and is less than Medicaid FFS.

Second, Ohana Care decides on what amount of medication the member will get. It cut the amount of pain medication that I can get in half and I am not allowed to pay the difference of what it won't cover. I have very little money to pay for my medication; however, I am willing to go without some things to pay for the difference.

I suspect it will have quite a bit of complaints regarding the medication issue because most disabled people need pain management and they will certainly have problems with the reduction in their medication.

It is a very frightening experience to have to start all over again finding a new PCP, vascular surgeon and endocrinologist and to have my medicine cut in half. I am thankful to have medical coverage and I pray the new system will listen to our concerns and make the changes as soon as possible.

B&BS

PRESERVING RESIDENTIAL AREAS IS NOT ANTI-VISITOR

Some folks believe that because folks living in our bedroom communities want to keep our residential neighborhoods residential, that somehow translates into a lack of aloha for our visitors. Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, some of these folks use the anti-visitor excuse to support their argument supporting the need for Bill 6.

I'm in the visitor business. On any given day, my business entertains well over 2,000 visitors in a hotel-resort setting. We are known throughout the world as the ambassadors of aloha. I could easily live in Waikiki, a hotel-zoned neighborhood, but I have the option to live in a residential neighborhood where I have chosen to live. City and county zoning provides this option.

The fact that some folks want to take away this option to make money is not pono. These folks want to rezone our residential neighborhoods with Bill 6 so that they can operate mini-hotels. This is wrong, and those who oppose rezoning provided by Bill 6 are clearly not anti-visitor.

Just because "local" folks have chosen to live in "local" communities, send their children to "local" schools and attend their "local" churches, that should in no way be translated as anti-visitor.

HOMELESS, ANIMALS

WHEN DID CATS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER MAN?

As a medical student at JABSOM, I have been passing the homeless Cat Lady on my way to school for nearly three years. In the past, she lived with her cats in a broken-down van in Kaka'ako. She no longer has this van and for more than two years, I have observed her sitting with her cats in all kinds of weather. She has become noticeably thinner during the past year.

Several homeless people sleep on the sidewalk in Kaka'ako each night. I often see more fortunate members of our community searching for hungry feral cats in the area. They walk past the homeless, without acknowledgment, and not 20 feet down the road set out a plate of food for the cats. Not once have I witnessed a homeless person on Ilalo Street offered a bite to eat. Do feral cats now take precedence over our fellow man?

I will vouch for the Cat Lady; I have seen no evidence that she is abusing her animals. It seems only a matter of time before the powers that be confiscate her final vestiges of companionship: several cages of feral cats.

MENTAL ILLNESS

PRINTING STIGMATIZING LABELS PERPETUATES HURT

I would like us to refrain from using stigmatizing references to individuals who may have psychiatric disabilities. The headline of Tuesday, Feb. 3, ("You can't figure crazy," victim says) is an example of negative portrayals of mental illness. Other examples are past headlines that included the word "mental."

When such words are put in print, the stereotypes of individuals with psychiatric conditions are reinforced. People who have mental illness and see such portrayals may feel shame, sadness, embarrassment and anger. Some may decide not to seek, accept or continue necessary services as a result.

It is time to change the way we think about our fellow citizens who have psychiatric illness. I would like to see The Advertiser, and all of us, take action to combat the stigma and discrimination brought about by old notions about mental illness.

Awareness and acceptance of people with psychiatric disabilities is needed. Choose to see others as individuals first, and people with challenges next (use person-first language, like "a person with a psychiatric condition" etc.). Avoid labels. Consider the feelings of others in written and spoken words. Have respect for others. Treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself.

WAIKIKI UPKEEP

CAN STATE, CITY AFFORD TO ALLOW BAD IMPRESSION?

Tourism is Hawai'i's major economic driver. In these difficult times, if we are to compete with the rest of the world's tourist destinations, we need to keep our infrastructure maintained. We spent millions of dollars a few years ago to upgrade the Waikiki waterfront. Declining maintenance has led to all the waterfront torches being gradually darkened and removed along the Waikiki waterfront, large water fountains in disrepair, drinking fountains not working, beach washrooms not being repaired and properly cleaned, outdoor shower bases flooding, sidewalks covered in sand, and the beautiful hanging flower baskets, now with just some green leaves poking out of the baskets.

As well, I understand that the homeless need a place to live, but must it be in Queen Kapi'olani Park, and the prime tourist waterfront along the park? Word about unfavorable holiday experiences spreads fast, and fewer tourist dollars equates to less money to help the homeless.

For-profit Waikiki businesses, with their improvements, are doing their part to compete in a world market. Can the city and state afford to do any less? Once the tourist dollars are gone, it will be hard to get them back.