When I read that there is to be a major overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes severe cuts for addiction services and community health centers across the country, I felt sickened. Finally, the death rates are slowing for overdoses, from opiates, especially fentanyl, and this is not the time to cut funding for access to treatment. The community health centers referred to are the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are an essential part of the health care systems here in Maine.

I was employed at an FQHC 20 years ago, serving parts of rural Maine, with many people who had no insurance, and counted on their FQHC to treat and care for them on their sliding scale, based solely on their income, or lack of one. Today, Greater Portland Health fills the medical, dental and mental health needs of families from Portland and South Portland, with their satellite offices set up strategically to serve those on Medicaid or the working poor and low-income residents without health care coverage.

In the article, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticizes HHS for “not doing enough to drive down chronic disease,” when in reality, Americans are living much longer and healthier lives today than 50 years ago. Taking health care services away from people on Medicaid or low income here in Maine will guarantee poorer outcomes, more disease and increased mortality.

Eleanor Dudek, MSN, CNP, PMHNP
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner
Standish