Letter to the Editor: Sen. Tammy Baldwin Deserves Our Support

There’s something so real about Tammy Baldwin. She shows up all over the state, discussing critical issues, including health care. She was recently here in Door County meeting with local officials about opioid addiction. She listens. She takes notes. And then she returns to her desk to get to work, to do something that will make a difference for Wisconsin citizens. On June 1st, she announced that 2.4 million in Federal grants will be delivered to Wis. counties and tribes. These funds will support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, and are in response to the predicted needs in our state.

I watched a video of Sen. Baldwin at a kitchen table meeting with a young mother. As the Mom told the story of the premature birth of her twin girls, and the ordeals they suffered post delivery, Sen. Baldwin listened. In addition to the trauma of almost losing one of the babies, the parents face the real possibility that her pre-existing conditions will prevent them from getting the insurance she needs.

Citing her own health problems as a child, Sen. Baldwin stated: “As someone who was branded as a child with the words, ‘pre-existing condition,’ I want to make sure that no parent, foster parent or grandparent has to choose between helping their child get better or going bankrupt,” said Senator Baldwin. “Republicans pushed repeal, but promised they would protect people with pre-existing conditions. The Fair Care Act is an opportunity for lawmakers to keep their word on guaranteed protections for pre-existing conditions.”

At the end of the discussion, Sen. Baldwin mentioned the letter she had received from the young Mom. Sen. Baldwin quoted from that letter:  “I wish every Senator could come and sit at my dining room table and look me in the eyes and tell me how much my children are worth.” Sen. Baldwin, looking directly at the Mom, said, “Mari, your children are priceless. All of Wisconsin’s children are priceless. I’m fighting, and your story is part of that fight.”

The bottom line for me is always, “How well are we taking care of our children in Wisconsin?” I believe Tammy Baldwin is doing her job, and deserves our support at the polls on Nov. 6th.

Lynn Olson

Ellison Bay, Wis.