Dr. Al Olszewski’s April 27 letter to the editor states he strongly opposes Obamacare and Medicaid expansion. Yet he testified for House Bill 590. Regardless what was tacked onto it, HB 590 supported Medicaid expansion.  A liberal Democrat sponsored it, and our liberal Democrat governor promoted it. The majority of the Montana Republican legislators opposed it. That’s why it didn’t pass. 

The conservative group Americans For Prosperity-Montana led the battle against Medicaid expansion including HB 590. Al was in the room as AFP-MT testified against it, and I guarantee you the Republican legislators kept Dr. Olszewski informed, so he knew by testifying as star witness for HB 590 he betrayed their trust.

Dr. Olszewski continues to imply he had to testify for HB 590 out of loyalty to the Montana Medical Association. Does anyone believe that? With what other special interests will his loyalty lie? In a letter to his supporters, he stated and highlighted in bold that he “testified for conditional support of Medicaid Expansion if and only if …” Viewing actual recorded testimony from beginning to end, his support of HB 590 is clear and unconditional (see tape at www.northwestlibertynews.com). There is no “if and only if.”

Also, in his letter to the editor, he misrepresents a private conversation. I did not say he was “too good to be true,” but “too smooth.” At the time, before I heard his testimony, I believed him, but my gut feeling of “too smooth” was accurate. Gauge him by reading his letter to the editor and letter to his supporters, and contrasting this with his testimony. His credibility, based on his April 27 letter, has gone from bad to worse. I greatly respect his capabilities as a physician, but we do not need any more of his type of politician.

Bukacek is a resident of Bigfork