BOISE, Idaho –– Despite the undeniable voices of Idahoans and clear will of voters and advocates testifying against Idaho House Bill 138, the effective repeal of Medicaid expansion moves into senate consideration this week after passing the Idaho House on a thin margin despite bi-partisan opposition.
The bill would strip health care from nearly 85,000 hard-working Idahoans and will again face overwhelming community opposition in the Senate. Those opposed to HB 138 include the state residents who voted to initiate Medicaid expansion, business leaders, economists, health care providers, professionals and advocates from across the spectrum of disciplines, including cancer care, children’s and mental health.
Advocates of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hope the voices of Idahoans will be listened to in this part of the process as they clearly have already been heard.
The following statement can be attributed in full or part to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Randy Johnson:
“At this point lawmakers have heard hours of testimony and read hundreds of written submissions and have not come to the obvious conclusion that Medicaid expansion serves the state well in health, business and economics. Medicaid expansion isn’t just a policy — it’s a lifeline. If this bill is successful, many of our friends and loved ones will face a cruel reality of losing the care they need or facing financial devastation. This bill is not good for Idaho’s future and hopefully the Senate makes that decisively clear and can block out the voices of outside interests and serve their constituents.”
