I support Anne Nesse for state legislative Position 4B as I have been a nurse in Idaho for the past 33 years and I have seen the underfunded state of health care. Ms. Nesse would support efforts to expand Medicaid, which seems the most logical solution at this time.

She has tirelessly worked to bring awareness to the living wage issue. I am painfully aware of the many uninsured here in Kootenai County who must choose between timely medical care and food on the table. An expansion of Medicaid would assist an estimated 70,000 citizens with access to care.

John Rusche, M.D., and legislator from Lewiston, states in his letter to constituents, “We could save about $55M in state money and $35M in county property taxes by accepting the Medicaid coverage allowed under the Affordable Care Act. Since 94 of 114 school districts have had to pass override levies to keep operations going, relieving taxpayers of that double expense makes sense.”

The governor’s office is encouraging the legislature to revise and reform the current Medicaid system, which is likely needed. The person who has no coverage today needs help now, not relying on more contentious legislative sessions of the future to find a remedy.

Please join me in support of Ms. Nesse as a leader to move Idaho forward.

MARY ROSDAHL, RN

Coeur d’Alene