Medicaid changes, water usage, immigrants, adopting older shelter dogs

First, test Medicaid idea in a few states

Jeremy Nighohossian, an economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, supports imposing work requirements for Medicaid eligibility [“Work mandates will help remove systemic abuses,” Opinion, Aug. 19]. He believes these rules will not reduce access to health care for millions of Americans. He concedes only two states have tried and failed. Georgia has enforced an 80-hour monthly requirement since 2023, with no measurable savings.

So, on what basis does he assume this policy will succeed — hope? If the Trump administration truly cared about access and accountability, why not test the idea in states — large and small — with the time and infrastructure to implement it properly? That would produce real data. Instead, they are pushing to impose it nationwide, gambling with the health care of millions.

It is irresponsible and unreasonable to adopt a policy of this magnitude without proof it works. Which raises the deeper question: If the goal isn’t fiscal savings or improved access, then what exactly is the real reason behind these work requirements?

— Robert Detor, Port Washington

Les Rubin, president of Main Street Economics, says that twice the number of people living in poverty in the United States are on Medicaid [“Skip the rhetoric; look at facts on Medicaid, SNAP,” Opinion, July 24]. The income level for people living in poverty is much too low. There are others above that threshold who also can’t make ends meet.

I’ve learned that some people on Medicaid do not need it, and good auditing would get them removed.

In the 1950s and ’60s, one spouse’s salary was enough to pay for all expenses. Since then, top management gets a much higher percentage of a company’s profits than the workers. Now, both spouses need full-time jobs to make ends meet.

Rubin says the long-term federal debt is caused by Medicare and SNAP costs, but the real cause is that the wealthy are not paying their fair share of income taxes.

— Robert M. Martin, Mineola

Monitor water usage of superrich

I have no problem with letting my clover and crabgrass lawn go brown to conserve water [“Plea to stop lawn watering,” News, Aug. 16]. However, when I see that the average homeowner uses about 150,000 gallons a year and the Hamptons’ superwealthy use several millions — yes, millions — of gallons annually, I take issue.

The CEOs, media moguls and hedge fund managers on Dune Road need to let their acres of lawns go brown, too. The billionaires may have to stop watering their polo field. It is time to enforce usage limits on the superrich water hogs. The Suffolk County Water Authority should cap their supply.

— Tiffanie Kempf, Remsenburg

Immigrants just seek a better life here

Most recent polls indicate that most Americans disapprove of the tactics of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But a reader wants more ICE on the streets “Feelings getting heated over ICE,” Letters, Aug. 14]. Most people crossing our border come here for a better life for their families and hardly speak English or know what to do to even become a citizen. When the reader’s family came here, it was easier to become a citizen. It didn’t take years.

It is disappointing to hear such harsh words for many who arrived via dangerous treks. It is heartless to not want to understand their wanting to come here. Immigrants might now think twice about moving here, and that would be a shame because we are a great country due to our diversity, equity, and inclusion of white, Black and brown people.

— Carolyn Newson, Riverhead

LI shelters have older dogs for adoption, too

I noted that the North Shore Animal League said that 80% of its rescued dogs are from outside New York State [“The incredible journey,” LILife, Aug. 17]. Many local shelters here have Long Island dogs that need a home because of the advanced age and disability of their owners.

I work as a volunteer adoption counselor with the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter in Port Washington and can attest to the many mature dogs they care for that deserve a forever home.

I know that puppies are a fast-moving commodity for North Shore Animal League, but many mature dogs languishing for months and years in the shelter deserve a stable home and are available at a fraction of the cost. All the dogs are neutered, up to date on shots and receive one-on-one attention by the shelter’s dog walkers and trainers. Everyone wins when an older dog is adopted.

— William Lorusso, Williston Park