Save Lives Montana

[TexasTowelie]

By Montana State Senator Mary Caferro

As I watched nearly $90 million in services for senior citizens and people who have disabilities, including children, being cut from the state budget I had to do something. Fortunately, we have a mechanism to help restore these programs and positively impact the health and welfare of Montanans. Through my bill called the SAVE ACT, we will increase the tobacco tax by $1.50 a pack. I fully understand that this may be considered excessive, but know it will take a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, a Band-Aid won’t do.

As a state legislator, I am very aware that Montana is a graying state – I can see it on the faces of my constituents and I confront the needs of our aging population every day in my committees. For years I’ve heard from Montanans about the desperate shortage of direct care workers due to low pay and the long waiting list for in-home care. Caring for an elder or a child who has a significant health condition is a huge challenge for families. It’s disturbing that in this legislative session the budget for long-term care services serving seniors and people with disabilities has been cut $90 million over the next two years. These cuts make no sense when the number of people aged 65 and over in Montana is projected to rise 55 percent over the next 15 years. It is the norm and expectationby people who have disabilities that they will be fully integrated in the community. Working, going to school, raising families, attending local churches, like everybody. With supports, people will avoid segregated settings and enjoy opportunities like everybody else.

The proposed budget cuts will hit Montana communities hard. If implemented, these cuts will make it even harder for families to find someone to care for their loved ones, risk putting rural nursing homes out of business, and make life next to impossible for people who need our support.

These budget cuts have driven me to sponsor the Save Act: A long-delayed increase in the state’s tobacco tax that will save critical health services, save young people from the perils of smoking, save health care dollars, and save lives that might have been lost as a result of tobacco use.

Read more: http://mtcowgirl.com/2017/03/12/save-lives-montana/