Funding should reflect values

The Eye on Olympia blog highlighted an ad that economists from out of state posted, dictating how we should feel about new taxes. The fact of the matter is this: Can our families afford such drastic cuts to social services?

I can understand that raising taxes in a recession is unpopular, but this is about helping kids, working families and the elderly. If a new revenue opportunity comes out of the Legislature, we have to take it. Making such drastic cuts to health care and basic family planning will cost the state more in emergency room visits than it does providing the opportunity to receive preventive care and allowing people to successfully manage their health.

No health insurance means no prescriptions for people who need them. It means no preventive screenings for things like breast cancer. It means no opportunity at responsible family planning. Can we afford an increase in unwanted pregnancies, cancer-related costs and ER visits?

But this isn’t an issue of money. This is a matter of our values as a state and whether or not we value life in the form of health care. I do. And I would support finding funds to make sure we stand up for our values.

Don Barbieri

Spokane