Governor Bullock says I-185 is good for Montanans
BILLINGS, Mont. – Governor Steve Bullock visited Billings Monday afternoon to discuss his thoughts on Initiative 185.
He spoke at Billings Clinic with the main focus on improved healthcare.
I-185 would increase taxes on all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vaping products.
That revenue would be used to fund the expansion of Medicaid.
Bullock said, “Because of Medicaid expansion we have 100,000 more Montanans with healthcare. That will continue under I-185, 5,000 new jobs that will continue, it fully funds all the state’s obligations.”
Vaping has grown in popularity among the younger population and that’s something Beartooth Billings Clinic CEO, Kelley Evans, said needs to be addressed and she thinks I-185 will help.
Evans said, “This is pretty unacceptable for our state and we need to get in front of this and make a difference. I don’t believe there’s any tobacco addict in Montana that would support or say this is a good future for our children.”
Governor Bullock said the statement that I-185 caps veteran healthcare is false.
He said, “what I-185 does is provide new money $2 million dollars a year of new money, meaning money that’s not being used for our veterans today to provide things like support for suicide services and some of the healthcare issues.”
But many veteran groups don’t agree.
They said I-185 will hurt their access to medical care and will cap how much veterans will receive from the increase at 4%.
Montanans Against Tax Hikes said I-185 permanently expands Medicaid which would cost more than $60 million dollars a year but I-185 only provides $26 million in new funding.
They said that would leave Montanans responsible for $34 million a year.
You can make your voice heard and vote on Initiative 185 on November 6th.