Commissioners support continuing the HELP Act
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January 24, 2019
To Area Representatives and Senators Jennifer Fielder, Bob Brown and Denley Loge
We, the Sanders County Commissioners are writing this letter in support of our local medical facilities regarding the sun setting of the HELP Act.
It’s impossible to put into words how important to Sanders County our Critical Access Hospital is in Plains, MT. Beyond the obvious benefits of having medical services including ER, OB, long term care, primary clinics, surgery and orthopedics Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) alone, employs 225 people with a payroll of $11.5 million. In a county of 11,000 people, this is an irreplaceable business.
Sanders County fields numerous inquiries from people considering Sanders County as a home. Two of the main factors these people want when considering relocating is a quality school system and access to quality health care. Currently, Sanders County is able to offer both of these. But without the continuation of Medicaid Expansion, it will be nearly impossible for our community to keep our current health care providers.
The trickle-down effect of losing these facilities would be immeasurable to small counties all across the state. Many of these businesses would cease to exist due to the economic impact of losing local medical facilities and the extra citizens and money they bring to an area.
By letting th1e HELP Act sunset without a viable alternative, the CFVH would not be able to provide the spectrum of services they do now.
We appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sanders County Commissioners
Anthony B. Cox
Glen E. Magera
Carol Brooker
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