Privatizing health care would end Community Health Centers

Editor’s note. After saying early in his campaign that “our hospitals have been built around federal subsidies. In my opinion, we need to return health care to pure privatization,” Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy has since said that he does not support eliminating Medicaid or Medicare.

Montana is home to around 16 Federally Qualified Health Centers (CHCs), including Partnership Health in Missoula, Sapphire CHC in Hamilton, and others across the state including in Havre, Chinook and Harlem. These centers provide quality care to over 107,849 Montanans—19% of whom are uninsured, 34% on Medicaid, and 18% on Medicare (2022 Key Health Center data, National Association of Health Care Centers).

And Tim Sheehy wants to privatize our health care? Privatization leads to higher costs and poorer outcomes, as seen with insulin prices. The U.S. already ranks last in health care outcomes among high-income nations, despite spending more (Jacqueline Howard, CNN — “US Ranks Last…” Sept. 19, 2024).

If Tim Sheehy is elected and fails to support federal and state funding for Montana’s CHCs, Medicaid, and Medicare, the 107,849 Montanans relying on these centers will be forced to emergency rooms—if they have one nearby. Health care isn’t “one size fits all,” and privatization isn’t the answer. Jon Tester is.

Tester understands Montana’s health care needs and has worked across the aisle to secure funding for our CHCs. As he said, “In Montana, these centers are the backbone of much of our health care delivery system. They provide affordable care and keep our families healthy.”

The Montana I love has room for everyone. If you or someone you know relies on a Community Health Center, please register to vote and support Jon Tester.

——

Kate Bratches was executive director of Missoula’s Partnership Health Center, 2005-2008, and previously served as health director for Missoula City-County Health Department.