Born in and raised in Rhode Island, I have been a proud and joyful ambassador for the state in places where people would ask things like, “Isn’t Rhode Island part of New York?” or “That’s the mob state, right?” or “The government is corrupt there, huh?” I would willingly correct false impressions and smilingly talk about all Rhode Island’s pluses.

Now I’m reading about the state’s Medicaid waiver. Oh, joy! We’ll be the first state to make a deal with the federal government to take even more away from the vulnerable in our society.

In reference to this pact, I’d like to cite a famous quote: “The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life — the children; those who are in the twilight of life — the aged; and those in the shadows of life — the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

General Assembly, shame on you if you approve this pact.

LILYANNE PAOLUCCI WERLE

East Greenwich