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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Would Otter play hardball to get Legislature to go along with health exchange?

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says it's his "obligation" to inform lawmakers of the consequences if they don't move to set up a state-run health insurance exchange - including the possibility that the state could lose $300 million in Medicaid funds. "This is a big deal," Otter said. "I think I'm obligated to explain to everybody what happens if we do nothing, and ... the frustrations that we're going through in trying to do something in order to have Idaho's own design. I think that's my obligation."

Asked if he'd play hardball with a reluctant Legislature to get his way on this issue, Otter said, "That's in my State of the State," meaning he won't answer the question now. "We've got a few legislators in the room. I think I've tried to outline, at least for the leadership, exactly what the problems are if we don't do something," he said.



Eye On Boise

News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.