Readers weigh in on controversy over Tesla vandalism, Medi-Cal funding in California
'How my Tesla felt like a target for vandals in California, thanks to Donald Trump | Opinion' (fresnobee.com, March 31)
1. Trump was elected because of financial support of Musk. Harris outspent Trump 3 to 1 and still lost. Maybe a poor candidate choice was to blame.
2. Ending phone access to Social Security so seniors with walkers have to travel to an office. Completely false.
Starting on April 18, people applying for retirement, survivor or family benefits will need to use an online account or make an appointment at an office to show proof of identity. Applicants for Disability Insurance, Supplemental Income or Medicare can still do so by phone. These are steps to stop massive fraud.
3. Trump had Tesla's parked on White House lawn. Biden in 2021 drove a Jeep Wrangler EV on the White House lawn to promote EV sales. He didn't invite Tesla. Do you think the car manufacturers made any donations to Biden?
Opinion
Maybe the op-ed should have focused more on the title. Chastising people threatening Tesla drivers, Democrats, Republican and independent people all drive these cars and should do so without fear.
I hope your wife feels safe and does enjoy the new Toyota. I hope it was at least a hybrid.
Mike Killus, Visalia
'San Joaquin Valley children will be first impacted by politicians slashing Medi-Cal | Opinion' (fresnobee.com, April 1)
Kaweah Health appreciates the recent article highlighting the critical role Medi-Cal plays in ensuring access to healthcare for the community. However, it is important to correct the inaccurate financial figures presented in the piece.
Medi-Cal is an essential source of funding for Kaweah Health, comprising more than 30% of its revenue. Ensuring adequate Medi-Cal reimbursement is crucial to sustaining high-quality care for patients. Kaweah Health fully supports efforts to prevent cuts to Medi-Cal funding, as such reductions would have a devastating impact not only on the organization but on the entire healthcare system in the region.
That said, the financial losses reported in the article are significantly overstated. While Kaweah Health, like many California hospitals, continues to experience financial challenges, the current situation is not as dire as the article suggested. As of Feb. 28, eight months into our current fiscal year, Kaweah Health's year-to-date, cumulative operating loss was $16 million, with a budgeted $12 million operating loss expected by year-end. Further financial performance improvement is expected in the coming months.
A dialogue on the financial challenges facing hospitals is welcomed, but such discussions must be based on accurate data. Kaweah Health does have financial challenges, but they are not at the crisis level suggested in the article.
Gary Herbst, Kaweah Health Hospital CEO
'Thousands march on Cesar Chavez Day for immigrant rights in Central California' (fresnobee.com, April 1)
The recent outpouring of articles and editorials commemorating Cesar Chavez Day all neglected to mention one notable factor in the great man's bio: Both Chavez and his elderly mother were long-time vegetarians for ethical and moral (not health) reasons, he once told me.
Chavez was a champion of the downtrodden, human and non-human alike; many believe he deserves a national holiday. Consider this excerpt from a treasured December 1990 letter he wrote to me:
'Kindness and compassion towards all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people. Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and rodeos are cut from the same fabric: violence. Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves.'
Words to live by. Sí se puede!
Eric Mills, Oakland
A friend visiting from the Bay Area parked his car outside my house, only to find the window shattered this morning. His crime? He drives a Tesla. Keep in mind he purchased this car when Musk was being hailed a genius, long before he became involved in our government.
Don't you understand this will have no impact on Musk's life, as my friend is the one who will have to pay thousands to have his car repaired. We are becoming a nation of lemmings, where people will run off a cliff simply because the person in front of him has, without any thought of the repercussions. We are a bunch of mindless followers.
To the perpetrator of this crime, ask yourself, how did this hurt Musk? More to the point, how did this cowardly act improve your life? You'll be like those individuals who were tried for the Jan. 6 insurgency, who apologized to the judge, saying they got caught up in the feeding frenzy and followed the mob. In hindsight, they realized their actions were wrong. I hope one day you will come to the same conclusion.
Bill Allen, Fresno
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