A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Let no one doubt Rep. Frank Garner’s (R-Kalispell) instinct for political survival. Upon learning that Americans for Prosperity, the Koch funded ultra right group, was holding a town meeting in Kalispell to pressure him to oppose expanding Medicaid in Montana, he crashed the meeting to defend his refusal to sign the AFP’s anti-tax and anti-Affordable Care Act pledge (below).
Garner did better than just defend himself. He and his supporters routed AFP’s attempt to twist his arm. See Tristan Scott’s fine report at the Flathead Beacon for more details:
Garner’s mere presence had a chilling effect on the AFP presentation, which was frequently derailed by laughter, booing and shouting from audience members who overwhelmingly expressed support for Garner.
But let no one anoint Garner a hero on Medicaid. He’s not on board for full expansion as intended by the ACA, and as a Republican probably never will be:
Garner said he sees problems with full Medicaid expansion, but that won’t stop him from considering other alternatives, such as helping low-income people who can’t afford a federal subsidy to purchase health insurance. Moreover, he wants to examine the plans at the Legislature before making a decision. [Scott, Beacon.]
Garner said he may support a Medicaid proposal helping low-income people who can’t get a federal subsidy to purchase personal health insurance, and wants to examine the plans before the Legislature. [Dennison, Missoulian.]
That sets the former Kalispell chief of police, and son of a nurse, apart from many of his Republican colleagues, especially those who were fool enough to sign AFP’s pledge (or any pledge, for that matter). At least he’s willing to consider helping some of the 70,000 Montanans who would be covered by expanded Medicare.
But the best possible scenario for those 70,000 is full expansion as intended by the ACA, not a watered down version that panders to the Republican Party’s ideological opposition to any health care solution that does not depend solely on private health insurance (yes, Gov. Bullock’s Medicaid expansion does just that, and I understand why he’s doing it, but I don’t like it because Montana should do better).
So, send Garner a message thanking him for standing up to AFP’s strong-arm tactics and for not signing pledges — and urge him to support full Medicaid expansion as intended by the ACA. Updated at 1308 MST. Garner’s legislative email is frankgarnerhd7@gmail.com.
Updated at 1024 MST. Garner’s legislative web page does not provide an email or contact form link (there is a telephone number, but that’s little help for the hearing impaired). His campaign website does provide an email link, but I don’t know whether he checks that email account. Update at 1308: he does check that account.
I’m still looking for Montana’s version, but I strongly suspect you’ll have it if you substitute Montana for New Hampshire.
