AARP's Accountability Vote Effort Takes Roll Call Vote to 180,000 Idaho Members on Bill That Could Spell Health Care Disaster For State

BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With today's Idaho House passage of ill-conceived Idaho Health Freedom Act (HB 391aa), AARP made the issue an "accountability vote" and is letting all of its Idaho members know just how their legislator voted on the critical issue.   While the legislation is meant to lay the ground work to oppose a non-existent federal health care law, the fallout for Idaho could spell disaster.  

The roll call vote from today's passage of the bill can be found below.  AARP is working to ensure all of its 180,000 Idaho members receive the facts on the legislation, its potential short and long-term impact on the state's health care system and what their legislator's vote means.  

"Our 180,000 members in Idaho deserve to know exactly how their legislators vote on key issues, such as health care, and this effort will help them get the facts they need," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "Taking aim at a non-existent federal law, with a poorly thought out piece of legislation isn't the kind of health care solution struggling Idaho families, businesses and retirees need."  

The legislation, cosponsored by Representatives Jim Clark, Lynn Luker and Raul Labrador, attempts to prohibit the federal government from requiring people to carry health insurance -- with the intent being to oppose any type of proposed federal health care legislation.  

AARP stands in strong opposition to the Idaho bill due the potential for costly litigation; the possible loss of nearly $1.6 billion in federal matching funds for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Plan; its contradiction of Idaho policy mandating students at state colleges and universities to carry health insurance; and its ability to tie the hands of Idaho legislators from deciding what federal health care programs they need to participate in for the good of Idahoans.

The legislation is a roadblock at time when solutions are needed.  Nearly 90% of the state's 221,000 uninsured have jobs but can't afford health care; 27% of Idaho Medicare beneficiaries fell into the Part D prescription drug "doughnut hole" – forcing some to skip needed medications; roughly 100,000 Idahoans spend upwards of 25% of their income on health care costs; and insurance premiums are expected to double in the next few years.  

With the health care debate continuing in Congress and in state legislatures, AARP is working to protect Medicare, and tackle soaring prescription drug costs and skyrocketing insurance premiums.

ROLL CALL ON THE IDAHO HEALTH FREEDOM ACT:

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SOURCE AARP Idaho

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http://www.aarp.org/id