The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI) appears to be having a change of heart; it now opposes Medicaid expansion. Or so you should assume from its tactics of late.
The organization's political action committee has launched a website berating gubernatorial candidate A.J. Balukoff for supporting Obamacare, among other things. IACI's new website targeting the Boise Democrat says, "Idahoans know that a federal government 'solution' isn't what we need. We can't afford a governor who embraces Obama and his failed health care policies."
Balukoff, for his part, does say on his website that he opposes repeal of Obamacare, and says he wants to "work with it." He also says he supports expansion of the Medicaid program, which is something contemplated under the Obamacare law. Whom does Balukoff cite in support of his position? Why that would be none other than IACI.
IACI, you might recall, supported the Obamacare insurance exchange and also advocated for the expansion of Medicaid. GOP Gov. Butch Otter hasn't specifically said where he will come down on Medicaid expansion, but his Department of Health and Welfare has been an enthusiastic booster of expansion, which leads one to wonder.
So to hear IACI now say it opposes a candidate who has a certain predilection toward Obamacare is kind of amusing coming from an organization that has pushed for the adoption of two prongs in the Obamacare mess. Nonetheless, I'll take it for what it's worth, even if it is temporary.
But it will be kind of fun to point out the discrepancy to lawmakers in January, should the group's Medicaid expansion push begins anew.