Missoula, Mont.—Sept. 10, 2018—The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), AARP Montana and Montana Primary Care Association will educate the public and encourage state legislative candidates to publicly state their positions on cancer and other key health care issues throughout the campaign season.
Many stakeholders are involved in the health care debate, and often the concerns of patients, consumers and their family caregivers can be underrepresented. Health Votes Montana is a series of six nonpartisan state candidate legislative forums focused on addressing these key issues around cancer and aging, disease prevention and access to quality, affordable health coverage. Health Votes Montana is sponsored by ACS CAN, AARP Montana and the Montana Primary Care Association.
For each event, all state legislative candidates on the ballot for that area are invited to participate. Learn more and RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/HealthVotes for the following forums:
- Great Falls: Tuesday, September 11, 6-8 p.m., Great Falls College, MSU
- Missoula: Tuesday, September 18, 6-8 p.m., The Public House
- Kalispell: Thursday, September 20, 6-8 p.m., Flathead Community College
- Helena: Tuesday, October 2, 6-8 p.m., Lewis & Clark Public Library
- Bozeman: Thursday, October 4, 6-8 p.m., Springhill Suites
- Billings: Tuesday, October 9, 6-8 p.m., Mary Alice Fortin Conference Center at Billings Clinic
"Government officials make decisions every day about health care issues that affect our lives," said Kristin Page Nei, Montana government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. "Our lawmakers have the power to fund treatment and prevention programs for cancer and other diseases, expand access to quality, affordable health coverage and enact strong policies to protect our most vulnerable populations battling chronic disease."
ACS CAN, AARP Montana and the Montana Primary Care Association are strictly nonpartisan and do not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate or political party.
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org. 3550 Mullan Rd, Ste. 103, Missoula, MT 59808.
About the Montana Primary Care Association
The Montana Primary Care Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality, community based, affordable primary health care in Montana. MPCA is the association of Montana’s community health centers, and works to support and increase Montanans’ access to excellent, patient-centered care. MPCA provides training and technical assistance to health centers and works to improve access to health care for all, especially underserved and vulnerable populations. www.mtpca.org
About AARP Montana:
For over 40 years, AARP has been working right here in big sky country to improve the lives of the 50 plus. As a non-profit organization, AARP Montana advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. By fighting on issues that matter most to Montana families and providing trusted information, we’re helping Montanans live life to the fullest. Today, nearly 150,000 strong, AARP Montana is the largest membership organization in the state. As a nonpartisan organization, AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political action committees, campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/MT or follow @AARPMontana on social media.