IDAHO: Not enough help for mothers

Idaho is the only state that does not investigate the root causes of maternal death and is the only state that does not have a mortality review. Most states with abortion restrictions have allowed a 12-month Medicaid extension for needy mothers but Idaho has not. Idaho also turned down a $36 million federal grant that would have supported child care to enable new mothers to work.

Our governor is fond of telling us we have a surplus, but the mothers in Idaho don’t get any of that, even if it doesn’t cost Idaho a penny, and even after Governor Little assured us he would help new mothers in need when the abortion ban went into effect.

It’s one thing to refuse to allow women to decide if and when to have children, it’s worse to refuse help for those who need it, especially when it wouldn’t cost the state a penny, when that state has a surplus budget, has promised to help and can even afford to mail out rebate checks to every adult citizen.

GAIL MATTHEWS

Kellogg