It is very disturbing that so many lives have been lost already at the hands of a government that has failed our mentally ill population. This is just not a matter that needs to be addressed within our local democracy, but on a national level as well. However, currently it is within Virginia where DMAS has decided to implement emergency regulatory changes.  An emergency defined is an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action. The first question that comes to my mind is, “What is so dangerous about providing appropriate, life sustaining services for the mentally ill, that would warrant emergency regulatory changes?” I believe that the cuts themselves are what will create the emergency. DMAS is cutting funding to our most vulnerable population of mentally ill, the poor. We are talking about citizens that often have no voice in our government, because they lack the stability to be able to access resources that put them in a situation by which they could participate in our democracy. We are talking about people who, at times, lack basic necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing. We, as mental health professionals are often the only voice that they have. We work with them on a daily basis and we see their needs, some of which go unmet. I implore each of the powers that be to get down in the trenches with these clients regardless of their diagnosis, and your outlook on cutting funding to save a few bucks may change.