The Idaho AARP has sent a letter to legislators notifying them that the senior citizens' group will be watching the expected vote today on HB 391, the "Idaho Health Freedom Act," which the AARP opposes. The bill seeks to set the state up for a lawsuit over federal health care reform, by banning enforcement of any requirements for Idahoans to purchase health insurance. "AARP has grave concerns about this legislation and the short and long-term effects it will have on our state’s health care system," the letter says. "As record numbers of Idaho families, retirees and businesses continue to struggle with health care costs, they look to their state and federal lawmakers for solutions and relief.  The Health Freedom Act provides no solutions or needed relief; rather, it creates more roadblocks to addressing Idaho’s worsening health care woes." The organization says it will be notifying its members of how their local lawmakers vote on the bill; click below to read the full letter. The bill has been moved up on the House calendar and is up next.

AARP IDAHO
Monday, February 8, 2010

Dear Legislator:

On behalf of our 180,000 members in Idaho, I wanted to update you on some of AARP’s activities that relate to our legislative agenda.

AARP members are looking to us to keep them informed about what issues are being debated in the Idaho capitol, and where their elected officials stand and vote on these critical issues.

Our members care deeply about ensuring health care is more affordable and accessible, driving down soaring prescription drug costs, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, and tackling skyrocketing health insurance premiums.  They want to know how the Idaho State Legislature is responding to the issue.

They want more information and we are determined to meet this need.  People need and deserve to know where their Representatives and Senators stand on the issues that matter most.

Therefore, AARP will be recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues, and informing our Idaho members of the results of these key votes – and how their elected officials voted.

AARP will track and report the upcoming House vote on House Bill 391, the Idaho Health Freedom Act.  AARP has grave concerns about this legislation and the short and long-term effects it will have on our state’s health care system.  As record numbers of Idaho families, retirees and businesses continue to struggle with health care costs, they look to their state and federal lawmakers for solutions and relief.  The Health Freedom Act provides no solutions or needed relief; rather, it creates more roadblocks to addressing Idaho’s worsening health care woes.

The legislation seeks to oppose a non-existent federal law – if successful it’s a move that could prove detrimental to our state’s health care system and take years to undo - why take the gamble?  It serves to draw Idaho into very costly litigation, threatens the loss of Idaho Medicare and Medicaid federal matching funds ($1.6 billion in Idaho), and health care jobs; it contradicts existing state policy to shield our college students from the disasters that face the uninsured; and it could tie the hands of state legislators from fully participating in all available state options.  

Idahoans need solutions to their growing health care crisis, not more problems. AARP strongly urges you to oppose this legislation.

We will always provide advance notification of the votes that we will be recording, and fully inform you of AARP’s position on the issue.

Please feel free to contact our offices with any questions about AARP’s legislative priorities or this program.

Sincerely,

 James E. Wordelman
Sr. State Director
AARP Idaho

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