In the Sept. 27 Sun Journal there was an article about the medical van that visits migrant workers who are here for apple picking or some other type of crop picking. The article explained how medical services are provided to those workers at little or no cost to them. The van was purchased, as I understood the article, with funds donated.

That’s a very nice thing but, my question is, where are the funds coming from for the people operating the program? Where are the funds coming from for the medicine being given to the workers?

If this entire program is run with donations of time, medications and all other requirements, that is wonderful; however, I believe that taxpayers are footing a good portion of the costs involved.

So, why are the taxpayers subsidizing the apple growers? If they are bringing them here, paying their expenses to get here, paying their wages, then why are they not billed for the cost of their treatment?

Their excuse probably is that some of the medical problems are not work related. Well, then, those fine people who come to help the orchard owners should not be allowed to come here unless the people who bring them here are responsible for the cost of their upkeep.

Whatever funds being used should be used for the people in this state and to pay the outstanding money owed to hospitals. Whether that money is state or federal, it is still taxpayer money.

Paul Parquette, Lewiston

Editor’s note: The program is funded through grants and donations. That includes the money needed to pay people or buy medicine/supplies. Some of those grants come from private organizations and foundations. And because they are a federally qualified health center, some grant money comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.