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Letter from Randa Gabel
Dear readers, As a correspondent for The Post Messenger, I would like to share a few items with you. One is Tammy Baldwin’s reply to my concerns on health care, the other is my continuing search for health care solutions. While writing Michelle Deininger’s story, I realized that her story tells more than just about her as an individual, but also speaks volumes about the people who live in New Glarus, Monticello and surrounding communities. For the past nine months, I have been fortunate enough to witness several heart warming events along with individual acts of kindess that fortifies people’s choices of living in smaller communities. However, as I began to record yet another wonderful story of residents helping each other, I began to question why our communities and others across the nation are bearing the burden of an industry that is not only failing Michelle but countless others. Questions like; how many “pancake breakfasts, benefit dinners & dances” will it take to cover everyone’s medical needs? Are we missing the big picture? Why doesn’t our health care system meet our friends and families needs? Where has it failed them? What should or can we do about it? Though I’ve never considered myself “political,” I felt clueless toward the questions at hand and I wrote to a few of our legislators; US Representative Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Jon Erpenbach and Rep. Rick Skinrud in hopes of increasing awareness of our efforts as well as receiving solutions. Despite not providing an address or phone number on my email, I received a phone call from Tammy Baldwin’s office within a few days offering their assistance. Her aide spent considerable time discussing the different options available in Michelle’s case and others in her situation while agreeing to send me the information on behalf of the Deininger’s. While I don’t necessarily consider the provided information to be long-term “solutions,” I believe Tammy’s letter listing some programs available may provide support for people in immediate need of finding health care assistance. As we celebrate our community efforts and become more aware of the need of neighbors, friends and families to support us this Saturday evening with Michelle - may we also start thinking of preventatives to her stress and financial burden by finding some long term solutions to rising health care costs. I invite you to share your thoughts with us in forming the “Stone Soup Movement” on Michelle’s and other’s behalf at www.newglarus.org as we look to offer help to those in need in our communities, increase awareness and search for answers to health care reform. Sincerely, Randa Gabel |
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Copyright 2002 Jim Salter
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