In several letters to the editor, writers have been seriously misinformed. One termed Medicaid expansion as a welfare program for able-bodied adults. The fact is it would expand health care to hardworking Idahoans and would especially help young people with jobs that don’t provide insurance.

Another claims that in states where it has been implemented, state budgets have been harmed. However in neighboring Montana, it is saving the state money. An independent analysis showed that the expansion will cover 94,000 Montanans and create millions of new spending in Montana’s economy each year. It also debunked claims that it would subsidize people who are able to work. In fact, labor force participation increased among low-income Montanans ages 18 to 65.

In Idaho, 62,000 residents fall into the gap where they make too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to qualify for the state exchange. But we’re already paying for their care in the emergency rooms through county-financed indigent and state catastrophic funds. Expansion would save $15 million a year through decreases to these funds.

Our federal taxes for the Medicaid program are going to other states preventing $400 million from coming back to Idaho. The expansion would create up to 5,000 local jobs in the health care industry.

The Idaho Sheriff’s Association, business owners, doctors, nurses and teachers agree – that Proposition 2 makes economic sense and it’s the right thing to do. Vote “yes” on Proposition 2 in the Nov. 6 election.

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Sandpoint