During the past 34 years, nearly 10,000 infants, children and teens have received care necessary to sustain their lives. Hacienda HealthCare touches the lives of more than 1,200 developmentally disabled Arizona residents and their families. A very high percentage of our patients are medically fragile and require constant care by doctors, nurses, therapists and aides.

None of our patients chose their lot in life. Some were born with severe medical conditions. Others entered this world quite healthy.

Then tragedy struck – a near drowning, an auto accident, physical abuse, etc.

They will never be taxpayers, but they are Arizona residents. Through no fault of their own, they must depend on state government. They are not dependent on less-expensive education, unemployment insurance, food stamps or vocational training – they depend on Arizona’s government for life itself. All other needs of Arizona residents pale in comparison.

Due to the state’s financial crisis, thousands of patients are in jeopardy of service cuts and eliminations. I urge the Governor’s Office to consider using some of the federal stimulus funds available to Arizona to make sure that our patients continue to receive the services necessary to sustain their lives.

– William J. Timmons, CEO of Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix