Ideology shoots itself in the foot
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Editor,
Montana hospitals are losing millions of dollars due to the state Medicaid budget cuts. Acute involuntary inpatient psychiatric commitments in Missoula have increased because budget cuts eliminated case managers. Proposals in both the regular and social sessions of our legislature could have prevented these cuts. Republican ideology says “no new taxes.” I wonder how much it costs for inpatient psychiatric care? Are we putting the viability of our hospitals at risk so we don’t have “new taxes?” Imagine the impact on our rural hospitals. Recently the U of M completed an economic study that documented the increase in state revenue ($350 million) and jobs (5,000) that had resulted due to the expansion of Medicaid since 2015. It is worth noting that Medicaid expansion was opposed by Republican leadership. What is wrong with the Republican Party? They are making decisions that hurt the people of Montana and cost more money. This is a classic example of penny wise and dollar foolish. The ideology of “no new taxes” must be put to bed and a common sense “get’er done government” should take over.
Mary Stranahan
Arlee
