LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Reduced funding could harm senior care

I am the administrator at Lake View Healthcare Community in Bigfork. Since 1973, we have provided quality healthcare services to the Bigfork area.

Lake View was started in the 1970s to right a wrong. Back in the day, Bigfork’s elders were shipped off to other communities because we did not have a local nursing home to care for our elderly. This led to greater isolation and challenges for families having to travel to visit elders.

Over the years, the facility has grown with the Bigfork community into a progressive skilled nursing facility. Our campus offers a continuum of care including short-term, long-term, adult daycare, respite and memory care.

Lake View is an important asset to Bigfork. We allow local residents to stay local and receive quality medical care near family and friends.

The Montana Legislature is currently considering steep budget cuts to the tune of $93 million to senior long-term care and Medicaid core services. The proposed budget reductions would directly impact Lake View Healthcare Community. Reduced funding for direct-care workers and the Medicaid patients served will weaken the quality care we provide to all residents. If you agree that Lake View Healthcare Community is a treasure to our community, please join me in opposing the budget cuts proposed by the Montana Legislature.

Call 406-444-4800 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. You may leave messages for up to five individual legislators or one legislative committee per call. Ask to speak with your local legislators and the House Appropriations Committee. Help us be a voice for those who are too frail to speak up on their own. Tyna Smith