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Say 'yes' to feeding hungry kids – Daily Montanan [1]

['More From Author', 'June', 'Dr. Frank Reed']

Date: 2023-06-15  

The Gianforte Administration and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services have once again demonstrated preoccupation with life before birth and disregard for life’s well-being once born, a cruel irony.

In citing “administrative burden” as being too great, the administration is literally “taking food from the mouths of babes” after requiring those young mouths to come into being through draconian anti-abortion legislation.

Regardless of one’s position on abortion, it is hard to fathom why anyone would be “pro-hunger,” which is, in effect, the impact of this decision. I remind our elected state leaders that the federal dollars the state is declining are dollars we Montanans already paid in federal taxes. Why not allow those dollars to feed our kids?

Following a career in family medicine, and now as a volunteer in food and affordable housing efforts, I am impressed with the magnitude of trauma and struggle among so many of our neighbors. Virtually every day I witness the legitimate need for programs such as the one DPHHS has found too burdensome. Apparently, at least 35 other states have managed to overcome the administrative burden to provide food for their young citizens. Administering government programs involves work. That is what government employees are paid to do. Of all the tasks of government, what can be more worthwhile than work that feeds our youngsters?

Food insecurity in our state and many parts of our country is at an all-time high and yet our state leaders are unwilling to lift a few pens or strike a few computer keys so that more of our kids can eat and have a chance to become healthy citizens. Decisions like this should call into question whether we truly are “the last best place” or merely heading “toward last place.”

Dr. Frank Reed is a medical doctor who lives in Missoula.

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