Medicaid expansion is right for Idaho

Would you be in favor of creating 16,000 new jobs, lowering health care costs, and producing healthier Idahoans? Such an opportunity is presented to the Idaho legislature now with the introduction of Rep Loertscher’s Medicaid expansion bill in the House on March 14.
Gov. Butch Otter’s task force voted 15-0 in favor of this expansion, and here is why:
1. It saves Idaho money. The expansion of Medicaid to mostly single adults currently without insurance who receive funding from the state catastrophic fund will cost Idaho taxpayers $284 million over the next 10 years if expansion is rejected. However, the federal government’s payment program will bring in $290 million to the state over that time.
2. Expansion creates 16,000 new jobs and economists estimate Idaho will gain approximately $616 million in sales, property and income taxes.
3. It stops cost shifting. When the uninsured get sick and can’t pay their emergency medical bills there is a cost shift to those who can afford private insurance either individually or as employers.
4. New businesses may avoid Idaho because of the higher than average insurance premiums (compared to other states) secondary to this cost-shifting phenomena.
5. If Idaho doesn’t expand Medicaid, we will still pay the same federal taxes. These tax dollars will flow to surrounding states that have expanded Medicaid.
6. Produce healthier Idahoans. Multiple studies demonstrate two things help improve health the most:
A) A regular doctor.
B) Health insurance.
Ask your legislator to vote in favor of Medicaid expansion.

SCOTT R. DUNN, M.D.
Sandpoint