It's not often that any policy gets nearly 70 percent statewide support and a majority of votes in all 56 Montana counties. But when it does, our politicians should respect the will of Montana voters.

Unfortunately, some state senators want to cut back and alter the Healthy Montana Kids initiative, which passed overwhelmingly in November by a 326,565 to 141,470 vote. The House voted to fully implement this important initiative, which would provide health coverage to most of the 32,000 Montana children now living without it.

Montana is one of just three states with a budget surplus, estimated at $250 million, so one might think state lawmakers are making wise investments on our behalf. That's why it's puzzling that when it comes to the health of our children -- and the future of our state -- they are being truly penny-wise and pound-foolish.

What's more, I-155 specified just how an expanded CHIP would be funded -- with insurance premium tax dollars that have been set aside through the initiative for that specific purpose. These already reserved funds will be matched by more than a 3 to 1 ratio by federal dollars. The concerns of opponents about there not being enough money to fund this expansion of CHIP should be recognized for just what it is -- a raid on the funds that the voters segregated for funding CHIP -- so that these funds could be used for other purposes. Since that raid carries with it the known consequence of the state's forfeiting more than 70 million federal dollars in matching funds, opposition to implementation of I-155 makes no fiscal sense, even without taking into account the real impact on Montana's working families.

The problem of uninsured children is real in our state. The number of Montana children living without health coverage would fill every seat in the University of Montana's football stadium and still leave 10,000 standing outside. It's higher than the population of all but four of Montana's nearly 400 cities and towns. Ominously, that number was compiled before the current economic downturn caused more Montana families to lose jobs, and often their savings and health coverage as well.

In this time of economic uncertainty, having health coverage is not only critical to the economic stability of Montana families, but also a key indicator of child well-being. Research shows that children with coverage get important checkups and immunizations, do better in school, have fewer long-term health problems and are better prepared for the future work force. This investment in health coverage for children will save money for our schools, our health system, our criminal justice system, and contributes to the future productivity of our state.

We fully understand that the economy has taken a downturn in the past several months. But that is precisely why we need to implement this important measure.

Contact your legislators today and tell them not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish and to fully implement the Healthy Montana Kids initiative that was so overwhelmingly supported by Montanans last fall. You can tell them that there are 30,000 very good reasons to do so.

Kristina Davis is director of Children's Defense Fund-Montana.