November 20, 2009
Boise, Idaho
Taskforce tackles heatlh care reform options
By Kiersten Throndsen
BOISE - For many being healthy tops the list of what matters most.
"I want to stick around to enjoy my great grandchildren," said Nina Curtis, a Boise resident. So, when it comes to our health care system it's no surprise people have opinions. "I definitely think we need health care reform," said Curtis. In hopes of addressing Idaho's needs state lawmakers asked for input from health care leaders on whether or not Idaho should opt-in or opt-out if a public health insurance option is approved. "As a task force, as a state, and as a legislature we have a real responsibility to figure out a way to make sure that people aren't going bankrupt over medical bills," said Senator Nicole LeFavour. Made up of 14 state senators and representatives from both sides of the isle, the task force listened to a number of health care groups who either oppose or support a public option, including the AARP. They represent 185,000 elderly members throughout Idaho. "Something is wrong, something has to be done, let's not let politics get in the way of effective-affordable health care for all Americans," said David Irwin, spokesman for AARP of Idaho. AARP says while a public option is not a deal breaker for the organization doing nothing at all doesn't work. And Senator LeFavour agrees saying no matter how divisive the topic of health care reform is something needs to be done to the current system. She believes most likely those changes will come from the federal level on down. "I really do think we need to try something and give what does happen in Washington, DC a try. It may not work and we will have a chance to say it doesn't, but we have to try," she said. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation nearly 88 percent of Idaho's 221,000 residents who don't have health insurance have jobs. But they don't have health insurance because it simply costs too much. The health care task force meet again at end of this month. |
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