INSURANCE: Plug the gap, Idaho

The Idaho legislature has a bill before it to expand health insurance to 103,000 mostly working lower income and veteran Idahoans who fall in a coverage gap. SB 1205 is the Healthy Idaho plan drafted as a uniquely Idaho solution and unanimously recommended for adoption by THREE groups under Governor Otter. Now we must speak up and ask for a legislative vote.

You can email your legislators by going to legislature.idaho.gov or call them at the capitol (800) 626-0471.

Your message can be brief and simple.

If you are currently in the coverage gap without employer-provided health insurance, ask your legislator to pass SB 1205 so that you can stay employed and responsibly maintain your health without fear of financial ruin from a medical crisis.

If you are fortunate to have health insurance, ask your legislator to pass SB 1205 to SAVE Idaho taxpayers $170 million over the next 10 years and financially stabilize our rural hospitals so they can provide vital medical services in all corners of our state.

If you are a legislator, ask leadership to bring SB 1205 to a vote and pass the Healthy Idaho plan. The House Health and Welfare committee already is unanimous that leaving fellow citizens without health insurance is unfair and wrong.

The legislature needs to act within the next month. Contact them this week to be sure they understand the majority of Idaho citizens want action on SB 1205. It is the right thing to do.

SCOTT DUNN, M.D.

Sandpoint