Avera CEO to employees: I’m voting for IM15
Avera President and CEO John Porter sent a letter to employees this week telling them he plans to vote for Initiated Measure 15:
“Initiated Measure 15 is a real solution to a real challenge and is an opportunity for the people of South Dakota to step forward and support vital services provided by the state. That is why I am voting for Initiated Measure 15, and I hope the you understand the importance of this measure to our ministry and will also vote yes.”
Porter explains that the one-cent sales tax increase would be equally divided between Medicaid providers like Avera and K-12 education. He references the cuts made to Medicaid and K-12 education during the 2011 legislative session, noting that four of Avera’s hospitals took 10 percent reductions in Medicaid reimbursements from the state.
“These funding cuts have gone so deep that they affect the ability to provide essential services to those medically underserved,” Porter writes.
How much money will the Pro IM15 people raise? With friends like Avera, they should raise plenty.
