On Nov. 6, Idahoans have the chance to cast a pivotal vote that will help our citizens in the coverage gap, bring taxpayer money back to Idaho, and create jobs. Proposition 2, the bipartisan ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in Idaho, will help Idaho’s gap population — those Idahoans who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford coverage through the state health insurance exchange.

As the CEO of Kaniksu Health Services, a locally-operated, nonprofit healthcare system providing high-quality primary care, we offer affordable services to everyone. In 2017, Kaniksu Health Services served 14,517 patients, and 15.5 percent were uninsured. Although we provide primary medical care, dental, mental health, and pharmacy services, sometimes our patients require specialty care or hospitalization which they can’t obtain without healthcare coverage.

This was the case with a young, uninsured working man who came to our clinic for care after feeling sick for quite some time. While we were able to diagnosis him with a life-threatening condition, without insurance, he cannot afford to see the specialist he needs. Because he has missed so much work, he has been laid off from his job. The stress of the situation has greatly impacted his wife and two young children.

Nov. 6 will soon come and go, but voters can make a lasting impact on our state and secure a win for hard-working Idahoans, for taxpayers, and for a stronger state economy. Vote yes on Proposition 2.

VICTORIA McCLELLAN

Bonners Ferry