MEDICAID: A state of disgrace

It is a disgrace that our “do nothing” Idaho state lawmakers ignored citizens who needed health care for many years. Because of their years of inaction, we the people had to take matters into our own hands to get things done.

Now our “do nothing” lawmakers are jumping out of their chairs trying to attach waivers. All of this could have been avoided if the “do nothing” lawmakers had done their homework, coming up with a plan early on that included language for work requirements, etc.

With the federal government paying 90% of the $400 million, Idaho only needs to pay $40 million and our lawmakers are trying to figure out how to pay for it. Here’s the answer.

Idaho is acting like a sanctuary state for illegal aliens and it is costing taxpayers nearly $200 million annually. Why are Idaho lawmakers condoning illegal activity and making us pay for it when Idaho has 376,000 legal U.S. citizens in need of health care? This needs to be addressed because our lawmakers are sweeping it under the rug and the Coeur d’Alene Press thinks this is a back-burner issue.

A work requirement waiver of 20 hours per week for those who are able to work could make up for the loss of illegal aliens. Idaho’s $40 million not only would be recovered but we’d have $160 million left over which we could use for the lack of state funding in our school system, especially as it has to do with Idaho’s suicide rate.

JoANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene