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Idaho has an opportunity to expand Medicaid to 62,000 Idahoans with federal dollars that we are already paying. According to research, Prop 2 will improve the ability of Idahoans to provide for themselves and their families and therefore will be less likely to need government assistance.

Ohio’s Republican governor, John Kasich, expanded Medicaid in his state in 2014 and he found that instead of creating dependence it is creating independence. “A new report out today shows that an estimated 290,000 Ohioans utilized Medicaid expansion, and then transitioned off because they got a job or a raise. Expansion has worked in Ohio.” — John Kasich, Aug. 21, 2018

One individual who unenrolled this year said, “Medicaid allowed me to get the surgery I needed so that I could go back to work full time.” In addition, Medicaid made it easier for 83 percent of participants to continue working.

Some people believe that Medicaid expansion will create dependence, but that is not what is happening in states that have expanded their programs. It turns out that people who have their basic health care needs met, find that their ability to become self-reliant increases.

Expanding Medicaid will bring healthcare to 62,000 Idahoans. It will bring nearly $400 million a year of Idaho taxpayers’ money back to Idaho, creating 14,000 new jobs and the tax revenue from those jobs. Vote yes on Prop 2 on Nov. 6.

LINDA LARSON

Sandpoint