The AARP, through its Idaho spokesman David Irwin, released a statement today slamming Gov. Butch Otter for signing the Idaho Health Freedom Act, which, sponsors say, will help shield residents of the state from being forced to purchase health insurance.
From the release:
"This law does nothing to make Idaho's health care crisis better and everything to make it worse - it is bad policy," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. "Families, children and the elderly are facing real health problems, high costs and no access to needed health care; this bill doesn't address those kitchen-table issues."
AARP fears that the new law could have several short- and long-term policy implications, while place at risk that state's $1.6 billion in federal matching funds for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as job associated with the program.
"Idaho residents struggling to afford soaring health premiums and rising prescription drugs prices will get no relief under this law," added Wordelman. "This is a problem at a time when we need solutions -- and that's not a good move for Idahoans."
Following Otter's signing of the bill, Irwin spoke to IdahoReporter.com about why his organization feels the plan is wrong for Idaho.
View IdahoReporter.com's past coverage of the Senate's passage of the Idaho Health Freedom Act here.
