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Signatures being filed for Medicaid expansion

| May 1, 2018 1:00 AM

Voters across Idaho are filing the final signatures Monday and today for a November ?ballot initiative? to bring quality, affordable health care to 62,000 people by expanding Medicaid in the state.

Over the past several months, a diverse group of volunteers, from Bonners Ferry to Driggs, have been collecting signatures from citizens covering the entire political spectrum to qualify the initiative, which would bring health coverage to residents who are caught in what’s known as “the health coverage gap.” They earn too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to be eligible for financial assistance so they can afford coverage through Idaho’s health insurance exchange.

“What has surprised me has been the depth and scope of the volunteer effort,” said Bonner County petition drive leader Theresa Renner. “In Bonner County, we’ve had plenty of super volunteers who were regularly out pounding the pavement, going door-to-door, standing outside in blowing snow, collecting signatures. But we’ve also been contacted by dozens of people who hadn’t signed up for any volunteer events but who took it upon themselves to print a petition off the website, get it filled with signatures, then emailed us saying, ‘I have a full petition. How do I get it to you?’ It’s humbling and inspiring. We the people, indeed.”

If passed, the measure would not only provide vital health care to those who need it, but would also create new jobs, reduce medical bankruptcies, bring millions of health care dollars into the state, and produce significant savings by reducing uncompensated care for those who lack health coverage. In states that previously expanded Medicaid, studies also show increased economic activity as a result.

“This initiative would bring health care coverage to those who need it the most, and it will allow Idahoans to decide what we want in our health care system, no matter what politicians in Boise or Washington, D.C., do,” said Emily Strizich, co-founder of Reclaim Idaho, the grassroots group that started the ballot campaign. “These are moms and dads who work hard in jobs that don’t provide health coverage, and people who are nearing retirement who have lost their jobs. Many have been forced to put off needed care and haven’t been able to see a doctor in years.”

The measure would help residents in every part of the state, including rural areas where many Idahoans have been unable to obtain health coverage.

Supporters will turn in more than 60,000 valid signatures collected from all 44 counties and all 35 legislative across Idaho to qualify the initiative for the ballot in November. The state requires 56,192 valid signatures, including signatures from 6 percent of registered voters in at least 18 legislative districts, to be turned in to county clerks by May 1. The clerks then have until June 30 to validate the signatures.

All petitions must be submitted to the Secretary of State on July 6. Volunteers and supporters are planning a large celebration at the Idaho State Capitol when that happens.