Idaho House Democrats have issued a statement calling the Medicaid cuts in HB 260 "cruel, heartless and foolish," and saying, "Democrats voted against the bill due to hundreds of personal testimonies, phone calls and emails urging all legislators to resist further damaging cuts." Click below for their full statement.

For immediate release - Thursday, March 17, 2011

House Passes Destructive Bill to Cut Medicaid
Job-killing bill moves to Senate following 56-14 vote

BOISE – The majority of House Republicans supported a job-killing bill to cut Medicaid by $108 million. It passed the House 56-14 today, an action that Democrats say is “cruel, heartless and foolish” and pushes more of a burden onto the families of Idaho’s most defenseless citizens.

“Cutting budgets doesn’t cure diseases,” House Minority Leader John Rusche said. “This legislation is going to be dire to Idaho’s citizens struggling with mental health, intellectual or physical disabilities. Saving a dollar today to pay an extra 10 tomorrow is not a smart strategy. I am disappointed in the House supporting this misguided approach.  It is real tunnel vision.”

Rep. Rusche is a retired pediatrician and former BlueShield of Idaho healthcare executive.

Along with putting an unneeded burden on state institutions and families in Idaho, it will eliminate over 1,000 jobs in Idaho, possibly forcing the state’s unemployment rate above 10%.

“This is worse than a short-sighted effort to slash budgets,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Elfreda Higgins. “This legislation attempts to convince taxpayers they’re getting a break, while putting an extra burden on families that need our help most. In the short term it’s fiscally irresponsible. In the long term it’s dangerous and inexcusable.”

Democrats voted against the bill due to hundreds of personal testimonies, phone calls and emails urging all legislators to resist further damaging cuts.

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