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Medicaid Expansion Federal Waiver

Under the current law, Obama Care requires that states accepting federal Medicaid dollars cover eligible working citizens, previously in the gap. Idaho has asked for a waiver from the federal government to force thousands of workers, who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid Expansion, to buy insurance on the exchanges. It is unclear whether more thousands of working Idahoans will be given a real choice about whether to stay on subsidized Obama-Care plans or switch to Medicaid Expansion.

Medicaid Expansion is far more reliable and valuable coverage than exchange-based plans. The subsidized plans come with large co-pays and even larger deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, confusing thousands of working-class citizens who may be denied information about the benefits of Medicaid Expansion. Will people also be denied healthcare coverage if they stay on exchange-based plans and fail to pay for premiums?

If working Idahoans don’t have access to the pros and cons of subsidized insurance versus Medicaid Expansion, then the “choice” is a false one. I would encourage you to contact our state and federal representatives to oppose the waiver. Go to https://tinyurl.com/y2cmjrmy to contact the legislature

While costs are difficult to predict, maintaining access to a federal tax credits will undoubtedly result in higher costs to federal tax payers (all of us!) than expanding Medicaid without the waiver.

We have already considered and passed the expansion without any waivers. The state and the federal government are now trying to second-guess the constitutionally based will of the people.

Nancy Gerth

Sagle ID