GOP Votes To Subject Veterans’ Care To Cost Analysis
ByToday, the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services voted to privatize the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. All Republicans supported this action, all Democrats opposed it.
Because of this measure, the home will be run in a way that values profit over the care of our veterans. Our veterans deserve better than this. The residents of this home were willing to risk their life defending our country, and this is their thanks? Quality treatment of these veterans should be the driving factor in decisions relating to the home.
Sen. Dave Lewis (R-Helena), the sponsor of this measure, says that reducing costs of operating the home is the main reason for this decision. However, he admits that the cost savings will likely come from cuts to salaries and benefits for the employees of the home. This will make it harder for the home to recruit qualified and experienced workers to care for our veterans.
The Veterans Home employees 143 full-time employees. Because of this proposal, these jobs are all at risk.
So let’s be clear, this measure compromises the quality of care for our veterans and risks 143 jobs in the Columbia Falls area. Is this what Republican lawmakers were sent to Helena to do?
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 