[Vision2020] Ballot effort needed to close coverage gap

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today’s (April 6, 2018) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with Special thanks to Mary Barinaga.

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Her View: Ballot effort needed to close coverage gap
By Mary Barinaga
Delivering bad news is part of my job. It never gets easier, and, unfortunately, I have gotten a lot of practice during my 23 years as a family physician working in Idaho's underserved settings.

One of the hardest experiences of my life was telling "Mrs. S" she had cancer that had already spread throughout her body. She lived in rural Idaho, and her job as a day care provider did not provide medical coverage. Despite experiencing months of unexplained bleeding and weight loss, she delayed seeking care because she simply could not afford it.

She died about six months later, leaving her three children motherless and her husband bankrupt with medical bills. Lack of access to medical care destroyed this family. Lack of action by the Idaho Legislature to address the health coverage gap will repeat this tragic situation for more working Idaho families in the health coverage gap.
 
Tragic cases of Idahoans suffering and sometimes dying because of a lack of access to affordable care are even more prevalent in our rural communities, where incomes are lower and many jobs do not provide insurance. Rural areas are often underfunded and understaffed when it comes to health care workers, and cost is a major barrier that keeps Idahoans from getting the care they need.

Disappointingly, the Legislature failed again in 2018 to narrow Idaho's coverage gap with the Idaho Health Care Plan - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposal that would have made health coverage affordable for 35,000 Idahoans and reduced health care costs for Idahoans on the state exchange. While many courageous legislators stood up for their constituents and called for a vote on the plan, the Idaho House of Representatives refused to vote, sending the bill back to committee not once, but twice.

Idaho needs a proactive solution to address the health coverage gap now. Since the Legislature has failed to lead, it is time to take this issue to the voters. Signature collection is underway to close the gap at the ballot in November. Signatures need to be collected by April 30 and must include 6 percent of registered voters in 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts. An overwhelming majority of Idahoans support closing the gap, and it is time for all of us to get behind this ballot effort. Our friends and neighbors in the gap, especially those in rural Idaho, need us. Help collect signatures now and then and we will work together to make sure the people of Idaho decide to vote to close the coverage gap during the November election.

You can learn more about how to engage in signature collection at medicaidforidaho.org. My patients cannot wait any longer to receive the affordable health coverage they need to live healthy, productive lives.

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Mary Barinaga is a native Idahoan and a family physician. She is the president of the Idaho Rural Health Association and currently serves at a community health center in Boise.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
  
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