1. United States
2. N.M.
3. Letter

congress I am a disabled constituent. I will be destitute and lose all quality of life without the Medicare and Medicaid services I have earned.   Medicare and Medicaid have kept me from homelessness, unbearable symptoms of chronic illnesses, and physical pain that would have severely impaired my ability to walk or stand. I will be unable to pay for food, housing (a mortgage on the home I own), utilities, or any health care services needed to address my conditions without Medicare and Medicaid.   While my daily living and activities are a bit restricted - even with treatment - I have never given up on my intention to go back to work. I am a client of the excellent services at the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR). The amazing counselors at NMDVR have been working with me, through multiple health setbacks, to assist me in opening my practice as a Certified End-of-Life  Doula (CEOLD) Specialist, including certifications for Elder Care, Advanced Care Planning, Companion Animal CEOLD, CEOLD Trainer, End-of-Life (EOL) services, home funerals, and grief support. I trained with Suzanne O’Brien, New York Times best-selling author of the book ‘The Good Death’ and founder of the Doulagivers Institute, as well as the University of Vermont.   The need for EOL services is critical and growing exponentially as the U.S. and New Mexico populations age. The communities of the Albuquerque Metro Area and Northern New Mexico will benefit greatly from all of these services, supporting community members and their loved ones through the major changes and most difficult phases at End-of-Life.   PLEASE SAVE LIVES by preserving ALL MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES - and the HOSPITALS in rural New Mexico communities!!!