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Allred proposes Idaho solution on health care
April 07, 2010
Keith Allred, candidate for governor 2010, says it’s time for Idaho to take its destiny into its own hands on health care reform.
Instead of relying on judges, Allred proposed that Idahoans exploit language in the federal health care reform law to develop their own health care plan.
"I believe that Idaho can do better than the federal government," Allred said. "I know that we can solve the problem better than federal judges."
Allred’s proactive plan stands in stark contrast to Governor Otter’s pointless lawsuit against the federal government.
What Governor Otter failed to notice in the federal health care reform measure was a waiver for states to opt out of the federal plan if they develop their own.
A few facts about the waiver:
- The waiver was inserted into the federal health care reform bill by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden.
- It allows for states to waive the individual mandate to buying health care.
- States can use federal dollars to fund their plan.
With health care costs skyrocketing and hundreds of thousands of uninsured Idahoans adding to the burden we all share, Allred said that as governor, he would pursue a state plan that would allow Idaho to get away from the federal health care plan, but still achieve improved health care coverage in Idaho.
More than 220,000 Idahoans are without health insurance, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
"Every year, more Idahoans don't have access to health care and virtually all Idahoans pay more for it," Allred said. "Whether we're Republican, Democrat or independent, most of us agree that we just can't keep going down the same path."
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Keith Allred
health care
Democrat
governor
reform
Idaho
