Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, has proposed legislation that would allow citizens to venture beyond state lines for health insurance. The House State Affairs Committee Thursday voted to send the bill to print and to hold a hearing.

Ellsworth said the bill would require some things, including that an agent must be licensed in the state where the insurance company is located, participate in the catastrophic health fund and take part in the premium tax.

Also, Ellsworth said the bill has been drafted so that if a lawsuit is brought, the suit would be decided in Idaho, so that “individuals are not having to run out to Kansas or Indiana if they’ve found a competitive health insurance plan there.”

Ellsworth urged the committee to send the bill to print and have a hearing on it. “I think it is very important for the citizens of Idaho. I think we’ve heard forever that ‘well, we can’t go over state borders.’ But do you know what? You can.”

The representative also believes that it’s what constituents want, and that they deserve options regarding health insurance. “It gives our constituents options. Our constituents will have the ability to make some choices, where there haven’t been before.”