Archive for Healthcare
The Terrible Ten
Posted by:Today, Democratic leadership in the legislature released, “The Terrible Ten,” their list of ten frivolous and unconstitutional bills.
Much has been said about the number of unconstitutional bills that Republicans have introduced this year. Some reports indicate that nearly 100 bills have serious questions of constitutionality. These bill waste precious time during a short legislative session and more importantly waste the taxpayers’ money.
These bill are the most clear examples that Republicans in the legislature have abandoned the goal of bringing jobs to the state and moving the economy forward, and instead have pursued an unconstitutional social agenda.
Below is “The Terrible Ten“:
HB 382—Derek Skees’ (R-Whitefish) 1861 flashback would let a handful of legislators nullify any federal law passed since the signing of the Constitution. Slavery, child labor, and universal voting rights could all be up for debate again.
HB 283—Liz Bangerter (R-Helena) would allow sex discrimination in insurance coverage–discrimination the Montana Constitution explicitly forbids.
SB 106—Jason Priest (R-Red Lodge) overreaches legislative responsibility when he attempts to force duly elected statewide officials to do his bidding by joining the national lawsuit against Healthcare Reform. SB 106 is not just a clear violation of the separation of powers, but a clear statement that every Montanan does not need or deserve health care.
SB 114—Greg Hinkle (R-Trout Creek) would like to give each county sheriff authority over national security investigations. SB 114 would leave anti-terrorism efforts up to dozens of uncoordinated sheriffs, a favorite of extremist groups across the country.
HB 284—Tom Burnett (R-Bozeman) wants to criminalize state employees for complying with federal law.
SB 161—Verdell Jackson (R-Kalispell) wants to invalidate laws prohibiting insurance company abuses. In addition, he too would like to criminalize state employees.
HB 321—Krayton Kerns (R-Laurel) would end the Endangered Species Act in Montana, putting critical wildlife and habitats at risk. He would like to wipe out the law, along with rare species.
HB 397—James Knox (R-Billings) wants to give funds to unaccredited learning institutions, instead of fulfilling the state’s constitutional obligation to provide every child with a quality education.
SB 125—Art Wittich (R-Bozeman) would prohibit Montana from complying with federal health care reform, violating the Supremacy and Commerce Clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
The House Judiciary Committee today endorsed HB280, a bill that would mandate that women undergo an invasive ultrasound procedure before they are able to access abortion services. All Democrats on the committee opposed the measure, all Republicans supported it.
This bill is a blatant attack at a woman’s constitutionally protected right to privacy and to choice, and an attempt to place barriers between women and access to reproductive health services.
During the debate, Rep. Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings) called out the GOP hypocrisy when she noted that the supporters of this bill are the same people who are decrying mandates to purchase health insurance.
The bill will now go to the full House for a vote.
The GOP Healthcare Plan
Posted by:The Montana GOP’s hypocrisy on health care is nothing new. Today though, Sen. Art Wittich brought it to a whole new level. While speaking on his bill, SB125, which seeks to cripple the health insurance reform bill that was passed last year, he laid out the GOP’s plan for Montanans who want health insurance.
Their plan? Get a government job if you want health insurance.
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 