Archived Story

Letter: Lindeen best choice for women and children's health

On Sept. 25, newspapers across the state published a story detailing State Auditor candidate Duane Grimes’ five-point plan for controlling health insurance costs. Point two of Grimes’ plan specifically states that as state auditor he would “(Analyze) how health-insurance mandates drive up costs, and possibly (push) to eliminate mandates...”

Planned Parenthood of Montana objects to this point because many of the state’s insurance mandates provide critical healthcare for women and children. Eliminating these mandates leaves women and children without a healthcare safety net.

In past legislative sessions and as recently as this summer, legislators have proposed bills that would eliminate critical insurance coverage for prenatal care, maternity care, mammogram screening and coverage for adoptive children. When legislators and state auditors propose eliminating mandates to cut costs, in reality they eliminate healthcare for the populations of Montanans who need it most: families and children.

Health insurance mandates exist for a reason - they prevent the health insurance industry and/or employers from limiting their costs at the expense of vulnerable populations. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana urges citizens to put prevention first and endorses Monica Lindeen for State Auditor. She is the candidate who understands providing maternal and child healthcare benefits all Montana families.

Stacey Anderson, Director of Public Affairs,
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Helena
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