Legislature left important work undone

The 63rd Montana Legislature adjourned without taking action on one of the most important pieces of public policy before them — the acceptance of federal funds to expand health care to uninsured Montanans.

As a result, up to 70,000 Montanans were denied coverage that would have saved lives, lowered health care costs for all of us, and protected providers struggling with uncompensated care. It's not too late to do the right thing. Legislators left the Capitol with several days remaining in the session. They owe it to Montana to go back and finish their work.

For months, legislators have heard from low-wage workers who aren't offered and can't afford health insurance, who have fallen sick or been injured, and who can't access the treatments that would help them get back to work.

They have heard from hospitals and community health centers — large and small, urban and rural — all struggling under the weight of uncompensated care provided to the uninsured. They have heard from prominent business leaders, the Montana Chamber of Commerce and local chambers from Billings to Kalispell, all urging legislators to take advantage of billions of dollars in federal funds and thousands of jobs created. They have heard from health care experts and advocates that failure to act would continue to drive the uninsured to emergency rooms and increase health care costs for all of us.

They have heard from economists, budget experts, and local government officials that both the state and local governments would experience large savings in health care expenses if coverage was expanded.

All session long, legislators heard from doctors and nurses who treat patients forced to forgo preventative care and early treatment because they simply can't afford it. They heard from veterans who have honorably served our country but can't access the health care they need. They heard from workers who care for our seniors and people with disabilities, but who are uninsured themselves. They heard from Montanans all across this state who explained that families, businesses, and providers would be paying for Medicaid expansion whether the state took advantage of the federal funds available to us or not.

Thousands of Montanans called and emailed their legislators and urged them to put politics aside and do the right thing for Montana's economy, working families and our health care system. They were all ignored.

Legislators on both sides of the aisle worked tirelessly with the Governor to find meaningful compromise that would satisfy a majority of legislators in both parties, by using the available federal dollars to purchase private insurance for low-wage workers. Against great odds, they succeeded. But through procedural gamesmanship, this critically important issue never got a full debate and vote on the House floor. As a result, $1.5 billion in federal funds were rejected, along with over 12,000 jobs those funds would have created in the next three years alone.

Montana deserves better. It's not too late to tell your legislators to do the right thing — accept the federal funds that Montanans have helped pay for, expand health care for up to 70,000 Montanans, and boost our economy.

Please visit http://www.MontanasFuture.org to sign a petition asking legislators to finish their work. Montana families, businesses, and health care providers are counting on you.

(Montana's Future members are Claudia Clifford, AARP Montana; Jim Higgins, Montana National Guard Enlisted and Officer Associations; Lori Chovanak, RN, Montana Nurses Association; Bob Marsalli, Montana Primary Care Association; Sheena Rice, Montana Small Business Alliance; Olivia Riutta, Montana Women Vote; Jacquie Helt, SEIU Healthcare 775NW)