MATERNAL, INFANT DEATHS: Cause of death not ‘denied Medicaid’

I just read the article about the increase in death rates among young mothers and infants in Idaho. The insinuation is this is somehow linked to lack of Medicaid coverage. What the article does not expose is how these mothers and infants died. Every death certificate lists a cause of death. And if the death was not part of a medical procedure or with a physician in attendance, then the county coroner must investigate the death and, with an appropriate autopsy, make a conclusion.

I doubt if you will see the cause of death on the certificate being something like: “…denied Medicaid.” True investigative journalism would present verifiable statistics which would quantify the causes of death and then draw a scientific conclusion which could be used to implement regulations to save these innocents. Insinuation and innuendo contribute to political hysteria among the clueless electorate which benefits only those seeking to transfer political power for their own political and personal agendas. I would hope The Press will do some investigative follow-up. I will not hold my breath. 

JOHN M. JOHNSON

Post Falls