Cynthia McCurdy of Rexburg, mother of a daughter with developmental delays and other health problems, told lawmakers, "Please, let's not have another Jeff D lawsuit. That cost us millions." She urged against reducing services for the developmentally disabled, saying without them her daughter's condition will decline. "Volunteerism is not a substitute for health care," she said.

Shaun Bills of Rexburg, a provider from Rexburg, said, "The system is not perfect. There is room for improvement. However, it is significantly less expensive and more individualized than care provided in an institutional setting."

Meanwhile, Idaho Public TV reports that legislative staff are estimating that there are between 700 and 1,000 people at the Capitol for today's hearing, and there are at least five overflow rooms for those who can't fit into the Capitol Auditorium.

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