Montana health director cries foul over budget process

MT health director cries foul over budget process

MATT VOLZ, Associated Press

HELENA — Montana's health director says Republican budget writers are unnecessarily scaring Montanans by threatening deep cuts when the money to pay for the programs is there.

The GOP-led House Appropriations Committee is considering the Department of Public Health and Human Services' 2012-13 budget.

Director Anna Whiting Sorrell on Thursday called the GOP budget process a "façade." She says it will not give the department the resources to meet its commitments.

The GOP plan is $642 million more than the current budget, but $55 million less than Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposal.

The Republicans' plan cuts programs dealing with family planning, tobacco prevention, prescription drugs for seniors, chemical dependency treatment and overtime for 24-hour health facilities.

The committee's budget also would seek to privatize the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls.

HELENA — Montana's health director says Republican budget writers are unnecessarily scaring Montanans by threatening deep cuts when the money to pay for the programs is there.

The GOP-led House Appropriations Committee is considering the Department of Public Health and Human Services' 2012-13 budget.

Director Anna Whiting Sorrell on Thursday called the GOP budget process a "façade." She says it will not give the department the resources to meet its commitments.

The GOP plan is $642 million more than the current budget, but $55 million less than Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposal.

The Republicans' plan cuts programs dealing with family planning, tobacco prevention, prescription drugs for seniors, chemical dependency treatment and overtime for 24-hour health facilities.

The committee's budget also would seek to privatize the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls.