Idaho Health Freedom Act Could Take Harsh Toll on 221,000 Uninsured & 213,000 Elderly Struggling with High Rx Costs
As Congress continues to battle over how to fix the broken health care system, Idaho's homegrown health care crisis may take a giant step towards growing even worse today. The controversial Idaho Health Freedom Act (HB 391) is up for a vote before the full state Senate today. AARP opposes the bill as it could wreak havoc on Idaho's health care system -- resulting in even higher premiums, while costing the state both money and jobs.
AARP is calling on the Senate to reject the vague, untried, unproven and risky measure. As part of AARP's "accountability vote" efforts, the Association will track and report the roll call and inform all its 180,000 Idaho members how their Senator voted. The Senate vote is the last step before the bill heads to the Governor, where it is expected to be signed into law.
"This bill does nothing to address the real issues Idahoans struggle with when it comes to health care – rising premiums, high prescription drug costs and unaffordable health care – and everything to make matters worse," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. "The fighting on this issue that has kept Idahoans from getting the health care relief they need has come home to roost – that's bad news for families, businesses and the elderly in our state."
AARP says the legislation could have severe and unintended implications on the health care system in Idaho and strongly opposes the bill because it: