Here we go again. Republicans, now those in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, are cutting the funding for the Healthy Kids Initiative (CHIP) out of HB 2 and losing necessary matching federal funds that are a win-win for our budget and the funding formula for CHIP. The voters of Montana overwhelmingly approved extending health benefits for CHIP to more than 30,000 additional children with the Healthy Kids Ballot Initiative.

Voters knew what they where voting for and have every right to have the initiative fully funded and access to federal matching funds, not a refusal or a watered down version of the program by Senate Republicans.

Now more than ever, there will be increased demand for children whose families are unable to afford health insurance. Please, make the time to call now and get involved. All of our expenses go up when 30,000 children in Montana don't have health insurance. That's why 70 percent of Montanans voted for the Healthy Kids Initiative.

Hold your senator accountable by e-mailing them at http://leg.mt.gov/css/Default.asp or calling them at 444-4800 and ask them to vote yes for fully funding the Healthy Kids Initiative. Thank you.

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg

Flathead Democratic Party, chair

P.O. Box 10483

Kalispell