Food Stamps

We all believe in helping people that need help. But taxpayers should not pay for items that harm a person's health. Especially when the same taxpayer is responsible for the medical needs of that individual.  Besides, Montana should administer its own food stamp program. Last Friday the following letter was sent to the members of one of our interim committees. Let me know what you think.

To members of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee:

We, the undersigned, request that you direct the Department of Public Health and Human Services to prepare a waiver request to the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, for the purpose of reforming the food stamps program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Store receipts show that SNAP food stamps buys Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls, Pepsi, Red Vines, Frappuccino, Pecan Sandies, Gatorade, Bubble Yum, Rockstar Recovery, Five Rain gum, Hubba Bubba, Monster Java, Sobi Fruit Punch, Fudge Brownies, Pringles, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Dreyer’s Ice Cream, King Henry Taffy, Wilcoxson’s Sherbet, Mountain Dew, Ginger Snaps, Martinelli Juice, Milk Duds, Whoppers, Starbucks Mocha, Coke and Pop-Tarts. Some stores’ receipts show over 57% of purchases are for items high in salt, fat, cholesterol and sugar, some stores’ less. Convenience stores represent 15% of the food stamp purchases. Most items purchased there would not be as healthful as oatmeal and canned tuna. Taken in total, it’s entirely possible that over half of the products purchased with food stamps are deleterious.

We request that participating Montana SNAP retailers be directed to disallow the purchase of items high in high fructose corn syrup, cholesterol, sodium and fat. Soda pop, energy drinks, chips, cakes, ice cream, take-and-bake pizza, donuts, snacks, gum and candy should be disallowed, among other things. A new allowed food list should be prepared based on the Women, Infants and Children-WIC-list. Foods to be added to this list should be high in nutritive value, thus fulfilling the USDA’s nutrition claim. Staples such as bread, rice, lean meats, pasta products, canned fruits, vegetables and soups, potatoes, beans and baking products should be emphasized. The WIC list already includes fresh fruits, vegetables, healthful beverages and dairy products.

The benefits of this change include health gains for recipients and substantial savings for taxpayers, both in direct savings and in lowered Medicaid costs.

We request DPHHS to provide an acceptable timeline for the completion and submittal of this waiver request.

Signed by Representatives: Tom Burnett, Janna Taylor, Dan Salomon, Wayne Stahl, Jonathan McNiven, Pat Ingraham, Tom McGillvray, Ken Peterson, Jeff Wellborn, Cary Smith, Jerry O’Neil, Bob Wagner, James Knox, Dan Skattum, Wendy Warburton, David Howard, Jerry Bennett, Jesse O’Hara, Christy Clark, Kris Hansen, Champ Edmunds, Krayton Kerns, Ron Ehli, Mark Blasdel, Doug Kary, Austin Knudsen, Kelly Flynn, Walt McNutt, John Esp, Pat Connell, Matt Rosendale, Cleve Loney, Mike Cuffe

Senators:Debby Barrett, Ed Walker, Ryan Zinke,  Bob Lake

Call me at 849-6096 or 253-8766. My email is jannataylor@montana.com and my webpage is jannataylor.com

Living Will

Do you have a living will? It is the document that tells doctors and your family your wishes relating to life-sustaining treatments. The state of Montana has a form on line that you can download, go have it notarized and then send it to the state.

        Then your wishes can be accessed on line, but only by authorized healthcare providers. You can find this form at http://doj.mt.gov

        There is a huge difference between the living will concept and physician assisted suicide. I attended a conference with doctors, lawyers and legislators, many from our area, about the problems inherent with physician assisted suicide.

        First of all, the Montana Supreme Court Baxter decision does not give doctors and others who participate in a qualified patient’s suicide immunity from criminal and civil liability. Senator Blewett (D, Great Falls) had a bill to do that this last session and it was defeated.

        Warning: legalizing assisted suicide can be a recipe for elder abuse. Elder abuse is on the rise in Montana already. There are two states with legalized physician-assisted suicide, Oregon and Washington. There is no requirement for a witness. An heir could administer the lethal medication and no one would know if the patient agrees at that moment.

        There are two known cases where the Oregon Health Plan offered to cover assisted suicide rather than treatment. The Washington statute allows assisted suicide when the patient has only six months to live. What if the doctor is wrong? We all know cases where a person has lived for years longer than they were told. Terminal does not mean dying. We’re all terminal!

            The suicide rate other than physician assisted is on the increase in Oregon. It seems that legalization has led to general approval. Montana already has higher than average suicide rates and we are especially concerned about suicide among our youth.

          I have one more warning. Our Attorney General’s website has a link to Compassion & Choices. That’s the name of the old Hemlock Society. This organization is promoting assisted suicide. Don’t mix up pain treatment with assisted suicide.

        So, before you decide what is right for Montana, go to www.montanansagainstassistedsuicide.org

        Please continue to contact me with any problems or questions. My phone is 849-6096 and my email is jannataylor@montana.com. I never forget that I work for you.

What a Great Beginning!

I'm really encouraged by the reaction from the community and my neighbors about my race for the state Senate. What a delight to live with such supportive people.

Already I'm making plans for mailers, radio ads, and the other elements of a good campaign. I hope you'll be interested in volunteering to help distribute literature, or perhaps making a contribution to the campaign.

The way things are going nationally, I'm really looking forward to this election year. I believe the country is ready to make a change in the White House, to repeal Obamacare, and to have more freedom and less government everywhere in our lives. I'm glad to be a part of it!