Issue Position: Human Rights

Issue Position

Human rights are those conditions that are necessary for human beings to live in dignity. These include meeting our basic human needs and living free from harassment and discrimination at all stages in life. Human needs must be met within the framework of our societys resources, and in a wealthy society like ours, no one should live without basic health care, including mental health care.

Governor Schweitzer, State Auditor John Morrison, and the Democratic legislators worked to expand accessible and affordable health care to more working Montanans by raising the ceiling on family income qualifying for CHIPS (Childrens Health Insurance Program) and by creating and insurance pool for many people who work in small businesses. The vast majority of people who remain without health insurance are working people. We need to keep working toward full and universal access to affordable health coverage.

The twelve Indian nations who live in Montana are the First Montanans. Their rights are human rights, and are recognized as such by Montana law and by the Federal government as well as under international law. I believe that all Montanans have a responsibility to know and respect the Indian nations with whom we share this beautiful place.

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