Two good health bills deserve support
We have nothing without our health; and at times, we take our good health for granted. But when we are in need of healthcare, whether it is for preventative or emergency care, many Montanans risk their health because they just can't afford the needed care. Healthcare costs are increasing at a rate that far exceeds the increase of wages in this state. Prescription drug costs, higher insurance premiums, and fewer businesses offering health benefits has led to a healthcare crisis in Montana.
Today, one of five Montanans is without health insurance. These uninsured residents don't receive preventative care or regular health exams. Minor health issues become huge financial burdens, forcing people to stay at home instead of seeing a doctor. This results in more trips to the emergency room for illnesses that may have be prevented. When someone goes into the emergency room, they enter the most expensive realm of healthcare.
All Montanans face healthcare issues, whether it is affordability of drugs or insurance, or accessibility to quality healthcare. We must find a way to remedy these problems. Our goal needs to be bringing affordable, accessible healthcare to all hard-working Montana families.
We can work together to solve the healthcare crisis by starting with Montana's biggest business; you guessed it — small businesses. Some 85 percent of Montanans work for businesses that employ fewer than 10 workers. Of these businesses with fewer than 10 employees, only 40 percent offer health insurance. It seems logical, then, to address the healthcare question by helping more small businesses offer health benefits to their employees.
HB 667 (Wanzenried-D) would create purchasing pools and tax credits for health insurance, from which small businesses would benefit. Purchasing pools allow many small businesses to "pool" together and buy larger policies that are affordable, giving more Montanans the chance at having health coverage. This bill is a big step in bringing healthcare to more Montanans. I hope you will join me in encouraging House legislators to vote "Yes" this week on HB 667.
Working Montanans, however, are not the only people affected by healthcare issues. Senior citizens face ever-increasing prescription drug costs that are forcing them to either heat their homes, buy food, or pay for their medicine. No Montanan should ever be forced to choose between food and medicine.
SB 324 (Tester-D) uses special revenue from the I-147 tobacco money to fund a pharmacy access prescription drug benefit program. Included in this bill is a program that provides discounts to qualified seniors on prescription drug costs. With living costs on the rise, this bill helps seniors who are often living on fixed incomes to afford their much-needed medicine. SB 324 passed second reading last week, and is now in the Finance and Claims committee.
When trying to solve the problem of providing affordable healthcare to all Montanans, we need to remember what it means to Montana families. Strong families are the heart of a strong Montana. Affordable healthcare is at the heart of keeping Montana families strong, stable, and healthy. What are your thoughts?
On a personal note, Detective Andy Cannon of the Lake County Sheriff's office died last Saturday. He was a good and dear friend of Will's and mine; and his wife, Marti, and their daughters, Jen, Kathy and Bonnie, are family to us. Andy was a strong, caring, and ethical man; and the center of the universe to his family. I miss his wisdom, his humor, his stories — just a few of the things that defined Andy. Please keep Marti and her daughters in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time in their lives.
You can reach me at:
Montana House of Representatives
PO Box 200400
Helena, MT 59620-0400
Capitol: (406) 444-4800
Cell: (406) 544-8086
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