Lewiston residents should help out those who are homeless — help them find a place to live so they can have clothes, medication, food and a place to sleep. If I were homeless, I would try to get help from the state and from the city of Lewiston. But resources for homeless people are scarce.

Lewiston really needs another shelter for people who are homeless so they can stay warm in the winter and have a place to eat, take a shower and have clothing. I hope that residents of Lewiston will support and try to get another shelter open for the homeless.

One thing that contributes to homelessness is lack of health care, including mental health services and addiction treatment. Lawmakers should think about the consequences of cutting health insurance for people with mental health or substance abuse disorders. Without access to health care, people are more likely to end up on the streets.

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Augusta should protect health care access for the most vulnerable people. But for now, Lewiston needs another shelter, as too many people have slipped through the cracks in the health care and housing systems.

I am saddened at the thought of even more people suffering, living without a roof over their heads.

In November, voters have an opportunity to expand MaineCare and I hope others will join me in voting “yes” to get more health care access to more Mainers.

Kenny DerBoghosian, Lewiston

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