EXCHANGE: Health choice still wrong

It’s been nearly a year since Idaho signed on to ObamaCare in the form of the State Health Insurance Exchange, aided by our trio of North Idaho representatives.

Senator Keough, Rep. Eskridge and Rep. Anderson were all aware of the Supreme Court calling it a “tax” before they cast their votes. They also knew that Justice Roberts not just left the door open for states to challenge it, but outright encouraged it by telling them that “they should act like” sovereign entities. Twenty-six states did heed that advice, and rejected the Exchange, because the regulations and costs were entirely unknown.

But not Idaho. Like a broken record, our three representatives insisted that “it’s the law,” and that they had “no choice” but to set up an Exchange. Countless constituents registered their opposition but received form letters with those talking points. Many called or traveled to Boise to be heard. They were ignored, as was the unanimous resolution of the Bonner County Republican Central Committee rejecting the Exchange.

Not long after this shameful vote, we learned that Idaho couldn’t manage to get its Exchange off the ground, there was insider-dealing, and we would have to rely on the Federal Exchange — temporarily, of course.

So when our three legislators try to impress you with how hard they’re working for you, it would be entirely appropriate to remind them that playing along with ObamaCare was enough of an example of their hard work that we look forward to expediting their retirement.

JANE GERAY

Blanchard