The Jan. 12 editorial, “Plenty of tough choices,” concerning the latest cut Maine pharmacies are being forced to take to remedy still another state budget deficit was off the mark in a couple of key areas.

For the past several months, I have facilitated discussions between the Maine Department of Human Services and state and national pharmacy interests. I am convinced the proposed 40 percent reduction in Medicaid dispensing fees, together with several other previous pharmacy reductions, will cost jobs and negatively impact citizen access to needed medications. The Sun Journal editorial suggested the situation could be worse. I hardly think so. The Maine Pharmacy Association estimates that the latest reduction would represent losses from $50,000 to $250,000 annually for some of its members. Clearly, few businesses in this state can survive such hits.

Having been in and around Maine state government for more than 30 years, I also take issue with your conclusion that every state agency is being cut. Perhaps, but certainly not equally. A few weeks ago, I was at a government-related gathering where some 20 individuals were in attendance. At least five were from state government, most from one department. Last year, I attended a similar meeting where I counted 40 in attendance, 20 from state government. On both occasions, I wondered how many private companies and associations have the luxury of dedicating that many employees to a single meeting. By the way, neither meeting concerned cost savings. Both were about additional business regulation.

Jim McGregor, executive vice president, Maine Merchants Association, Augusta

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