Testimonials
Bradley Boucier
I am a retired professional engineer; In my career I dealt with multiple disciplines including chemical and aeronautical engineering. I came from the Malone area of the Adirondacks, just below the Canadian border. I came here after I had developed bedsores that required hospital care in Burlington, Plattsburgh and the Albany area, and eventually ended up here for the best treatment in January 0f 2024.
It's been a very nice place here- the care is very human- we all get along quite well. My flesh has very nearly healed, but I still need the kind of support they provide here to keep me going in the right direction. They provide me with a trapeze over my bed so I can reposition myself, which I really appreciate.
My care is being paid for by my Medicare and Medicaid. My daughter takes care of the incidentals and manages the financial end of things. I have heard about the politicians wanting to do away with Medicaid, and I don’t know how they can even breathe that sentence- it just doesn’t make any sense to me! I think it should be kept the way it has been constructed (where Medicare and Medicaid are both covering payment) so one hand washes the other. (If I were able to speak to those who would want to compromise or eliminate Medicaid) I’d say you’re off your rocker!
Avis Hitchcock
I can tell you my name and where I’m from- Bakers Mills and North Creek, but I can’t remember how long I’ve been here- I can’t remember nothin’! I said to Debbie I don’t remember when I came and she told me but I can’t remember what she said- see, I can’t remember nothin’!
I was a housewife until my husband died in ’49. Then, I didn’t know what I was gonna do, so Jane (the head nurse here) came to me the day he died and said “you can come to work here!”, so I did- I worked as an aide here for three years, then they said “you could be a ward clerk, and we’ll help you learn”. So I was the ward clerk for twenty years here! I lived alone, with my kids and grandkids nearby. Then later I had to have both my knees replaced, and I had to move into the Warren County Home for rehab. One day, I got up to open the window, and all of a sudden I couldn’t speak- I’d had a slight stroke! They took me to the hospital and I was there for five days I think. They told me I couldn’t go home because I couldn’t stay alone anymore and, I said I would go to a nursing home ‘cause I knew what they were like and so I ended up here. I know what’s going on around here, but I can’t do a lot of things ‘cause I can’t see. I can see around the edges, but not right in the middle of where I’m lookin’. I can’t read and I can’t watch television, and I can’t remember things.
My daughter Debbie said “you can come and stay with me”, but I didn’t want to tie her up…. If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would have to stay with my kids, and that would tie them up. They live in the woods, next to a horse farm…. I wasn’t supposed to live this long- I’m 97!”
JoAnn King
I lived in Indian Lake for fifty years before I came here to Elderwood. I have been here for four years- this is my home now. I have Medicaid. Over the years, Medicaid has paid for my doctor visits, dentist visits, eye doctor visits, breast exams and many more things. If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would be out on the streets. I have no family, I am 77 years old and I use a wheelchair. I can walk a little with a walker.
What I would like to say to the politicians that are threatening to eliminate or cut Medicaid is, shame on yourselves! What is wrong with you? You have no pity, no soul! Think of all the people who will die or be out on the street! I worked a long time, never been in trouble, loved my country all my life. If the shoe was on the other foot you would fight like hell to save Medicaid, would you not? Think of mankind, will you- please think long and hard.
Thank you very much.
Assemblyman Matt Simpson
“I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. John Rugge and Trip Shannon for a broad discussion on Medicaid. Resources from Medicaid enhances the quality of life for many and allows access for services ranging from hospital emergency care or primary care provider settings, dental or prescription drug assistance, home care or nursing home settings and more. Without Medicaid, access to these services would be restricted for many here in the North Country. I thank them for their time and look forward to working together on this and other areas of access to health care throughout our shared community.”