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Chris Rickert: $23.5 million of misplaced prevention

I have to admit, I?m a little disappointed in our new budget-conscious secretary of the state Department of Health Services. So, Dennis Smith is cool with cutting government health insurance coverage for the poor to save the state money, but when it comes to saving $23.5 million aimed at getting people to do what they already know they should do ? stop smoking, eat right and generally live more healthful lives ? he caves? A few months ago, Smith declined to write a letter supporting UW-Madison?s bid for the $23.5 million, five-year federal grant.