Letters: Legislature shouldn’t mess with Medicaid and health services

In 2013, I underwent life-saving surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from my spinal cord. The surgery left me paralyzed from the waist down. I was in the hospital for weeks, then radiation, followed by physical therapy and mental health services.

Fortunately, I qualified for Medicaid to get the care I needed without not drowning in medical debt. 

Only 1.5 years after surgery, I returned to work and today have a good job, a wonderful relationship, and own my home. I'm no longer on Medicaid, but I am grateful it was there for me when I needed it. 

It’s frustrating to see legislators try to mess with a program like Medicaid expansion that is working. SB 100 will add unnecessary and burdensome verification layers, which will kick people off their coverage.

I think about accidentally missing an extra letter during all of my treatments and losing my insurance. I can’t imagine what my life would be like. The state already has a responsible verification process in place. Does it make Montana a better place to add more stress to people like me who need coverage?

Call Representative Sharon Greef and ask her to vote no on SB 100. 

Leah Zins, Stevensville