Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — The Montana Legislature has given final approval to expansion of Medicaid that will allow about 70,000 people to benefit from health insurance. Our waitresses, taxi drivers and hundreds of other pink and blue collar workers will soon be eligible for health insurance. This is good for the community and good for Northern Montana Hospital and other health care providers who have had to dig into their pockets to pay to give some of these people good care.

Laurel — Havre 911 dispatchers are marking National Telecommunications Week by helping people understand what they do to help out during emergencies. Seconds matter during emergencies, and if the right responders get to the right place fast, the chances of a successful conclusion to the emergency is greatly enhanced.

Dart — One of the things that can delay emergency vehicles in getting to the emergency is that 911 dispatchers are being disturbed by crazies who are calling in things that are not remotely emergencies. Different agencies report that drunks call wanting a ride home, people want to cancel their newspaper subscriptions, their children are misbehaving, etc. These people are annoying the best of times and downright dangerous at other times.

Laurel — In all communities, especially in rural communities, volunteers make the world go around. In hospitals, human service agencies, soup kitchens, churches and all kinds of community institutions, people donate their time both for the sense of satisfaction and to provide invaluable services to the community. This is National Volunteer Week. We thank all those who, in so many ways, vounteer their times and talents.