The poor and disadvantaged in our state are not dispensable. What we as citizens do for the least of us, we do for all.

When a citizen’s basic needs for safety, shelter, healthy food, water, medical care, spiritual healing and education are not met, we all suffer – via increased crime rates, health care costs and a diminished sense of what it means to be humane.

When a segment of our population is left out of receiving these benefits because someone deems them as “the problem,” unworthy of the benefits, there is more soul-searching to be done.

I am counting on our governor to show a change of heart about the Medicaid expansion funds.

Priscilla Skerry

naturopathic doctor

Portland