Thursday 20 November 2003
Paul L. Nusbaum, Secretary
WV Dept of Health & Human Resources
State Capitol Complex
Building 3 Room 206
Charleston
WV
25305
Secretary Nusbaum,
Over the past couple of years I have read, with no small amount of incredulity, the e-mail exchanges between you and certain disability rights advocates. At first I thought someone had gained unauthorized access to your e-mail account, for I could not believe that someone in a cabinet-level position in our State government would stoop to such petty and outrageous behavior.
Not once have I read a respectful, substantive response.
People with disabilities, their families, and advocates have been appealing to you for years for the support and assistance they need in order to gain control of their lives and of their Medicaid services; for compliance with the Olmstead Supreme Court decision; and for the development and implementation of cost-neutral or even cost-saving initiatives which would enhance their quality of life.
Yet not once have I seen a policy change favoring such self-determination. In fact, every single policy change emerging during your tenure has favored the business interests of the multi-million dollar behavioral healthcare industry, many to the direct detriment of the people it’s intended to serve.
In 2004, the citizens of West Virginia will elect a new governor.
Given your track record on disability issues, as of this time I will not be supporting any gubernatorial candidate that intends to have you continue in any position of authority.
However, there are still a few months before the campaign season begins in earnest. I would dearly love for you to change my mind.
With all due respect,
Debi Lewis
Founder, WV Medicaid Recipients’ Union
Morgantown WV
WV Gazette
Charleston Daily Mail
Huntington Herald-Dispatch
Dominion Post
Governor Bob Wise
