Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Maryland's poorest hit hardest by cuts Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 14:59:57 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD Maryland's poorest hit hardest by cuts \BY Darlene DePass \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES In April, Francisco Gonzales' failing eyesight cost him his job, forcing him to ask the state of Maryland for a monthly disability check to help pay the bills. Now, budget cuts have him applying to homeless shelters for a place to live. Blaming a budget shortfall nearing $500 million, Gov. William Donald Schaefer on Nov. 1 reduced disability payments and other assistance to the state's residents. For Mr. Gonzales, 56, that meant $51 out of his $205 disability check, leaving him too little to pay the rent. "I am anticipating eviction by the end of the month," the Silver Spring man said, adding: "I have no way to pay." Social service workers and advocates for the poor in Prince George's and Montgomery counties say Mr. Gonzales' case is a stark example of the impact state reductions will have on Maryland's poorest residents. On Friday, they protested the governor's $5.5 million in reductions to the two counties' social services and health departments. If cuts must be made, they said, they should be made to nonessential services like libraries and recreational programs. "We demand a people-first budget," said Adrianne Carr of the Community Ministry of Montgomery County. The reductions, and their local impact, are sweeping. If the state eliminates its state-funded Medicaid program - separate from federally mandated services - it could leave some 3,000 people in Montgomery and Prince George's without health care benefits. About 2,000 others had their public assistance grants cut by $55 a month and thousands more were hit when $620,000 was cut from mental health benefits. Mr. Schaefer has defended the cuts, saying the budget shortfall requires deep reductions across state government, especially since federal mandates restrict what programs can be reduced. "The governor understands very clearly the long-term implications and he is very uncomfortable having to reduce aid to poor people," said Welford McLellan, an assistant press secretary to Mr. Schaefer. Providers and advocates, however, said the cuts are not wise. They will not only put disabled, elderly and poor people out on the streets, they argued, but also will cost the state millions in emergency care. "Welfare goes straight to the economy," said Kevin Appleby of the Maryland Catholic Conference. A family of three receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children was getting $377 a month before last Sunday. Mr. Schaefer trimmed that benefit by $18. The recently eliminated Prince George's Pregnant Women's Drug Services Program also may produce costly problems, advocates said. "One crack baby recently born at [Prince George's Hospital Center] was in the hospital for 54 days at a cost of a quarter of a million dollars, enough to fund the entire program," said Mosi Harrington of the Community Ministry of Prince George's County. Long-term health care for these babies will cost the state a fortune, she said. "The effects of these cuts impacts far more than the poor," Ms. Harrington said. "We are about to learn about the 'trickle up' effect. The money taken from the poor will impact those above them in ever-widening circles." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM