Idaho lawmakers would be foolish and premature to try to either opt out of federal health care reforms or, following Arizona's lead, change the state's constitution to try to keep reforms out, lawmakers of both parties concluded today after hours of testimony. "It's premature -…
Opting out of a public option likely wouldn't mean that a state could simply do nothing, Scott Leavitt of the Idaho Association of Health Underwriters warned lawmakers. Instead, states that opt out likely would have to show they're offering something better. "You have a lot…
Alex LaBeau, head of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, told lawmakers that he doesn't think much of federal health care reforms being debated in Congress, but his group isn't recommending opting out. "With most of these proposals, essentially we're punishing 85 percent of…
David Irwin, director of communications for AARP Idaho, told lawmakers on the health care task force that Idaho could face "unintended consequences" if it decides to opt out of federal health care reform. "A move to opt out could reduce or cut federal relief for…
Among the items being discussed in the congressional health care debate, NCSL health policy director Joy Wilson told Idaho lawmakers, is extending the boost to the federal match for Medicaid funding that came with the economic stimulus legislation for an additional six months. That would…
The Idaho Legislature's health care task force has interrupted its panel discussion on whether Idaho should opt out of federal health care reform for a conference call with the National Conference of State Legislatures on the status of federal reform legislation. "There is still a…
Susie Pouliot, CEO of the Idaho Medical Association, told lawmakers just now that "with all due respect, it is very difficult to pin down the pros and cons" to Idaho of possibly opting out of national health reform measures, when federal legislation hasn't been finalized.…
The Medicaid shortfall that Idaho could face next year could require cutting as much as $500 million out of the state's Medicaid program, Idaho Health & Welfare Director Dick Armstrong told the Legislature's health care task force today, including $130 million in state funds. There…
So far, Idaho has been allocated 165,200 doses of H1N1 swine flu, state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn reported to lawmakers this morning. Normally, about a third of the state's 1.5 million residents are vaccinated for seasonal flu. Hahn said even if that were the goal…
After the Idaho Republican Party took the unusual step of passing a central committee resolution backing party involvement in non-partisan city races, one county's GOP central committee endorsed a challenger, Alex Creek, in a city council race in Idaho Falls; some party activists portrayed a…
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