In a recent "Dear Senior Citizen" letter sent to win votes from seniors, Aaron Peterson wrote, "A top priority for me is making sure that our rural hospitals and nursing homes get the funding they need to continue to operate."
If Peterson really believed that, why did he vote "no" on the 2005 human services bill (HF1422), which provided much-needed rate increases for nursing homes, long-term care providers, community-based support services for the elderly as well as increased funding for intermediate-care facilities for the mentally challenged?
Why did Peterson vote against legislation which provided grants for our Greater Minnesota community clinics and pharmacies? And why did Peterson say no to grants to enable our rural hospitals to develop electronic medical records and become more efficient?
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support from rural Democrats. But Peterson voted no. And now Peterson says if we give him our vote on election day, he will do what he had the chance to do last year. No, thanks, Aaron! This is one senior citizen who won't be hoodwinked by your election-year conversion.
Allen Moe
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Dawson
