MEDICAID: Assist the working poor

The governor’s refusal to reform Medicaid to work hand-in-hand with the Affordable Care Act is not only wrong, it’s immoral, economically insane, and just bad fiscal policy. It will cost Idaho $1 billion over the next 10 years. Visit http://therightmedicineforidaho.org/ for more details.

We know the cost of indigent care inflates the cost of everyone’s care, closes down rural hospitals, and increases local property taxes.

Average charity care costs for a hospital in participating states decreased more than $1 million the first year, while hospitals in non-participating states saw continuing increases.

This is a benefit funded by the federal government, and it’s not like we’re going to get our money back by leaving it on the table. Several other Republican states, those who know how to read a balance sheet, have taken advantage of the savings offered.

Because our state “representatives” would rather play politics than look out for working families, 78,000 of the lowest-income Idahoans don’t have health insurance — and they’re not eligible to get it either.

Yet we see our governor lobbying the legislature to cut taxes for folks in the highest tax bracket and equipment property tax for big business — just nothing for Idaho’s working poor, once again.

SHERRIE GOFF

Pocatello