Dr. Leanne Rousseau of Post Falls told lawmakers that people who “are indenturing themselves for the CAT fund” don’t do so for primary care, but for advanced conditions. “I really feel that primary care for this population is important,” she said.

Sen. Maryanne Jordan, D-Boise, said, “We had some testimony earlier in the day that one of the things that we might be able to rely on is the charitable contributions of others. What kind of luck do you have finding some assistance for that?”

Rousseau responded, “Historically, in the past in our community, the community’s been very generous.” She named a couple of examples of surgeries performed for free. “However, that’s sporadic,” she said. “It’s difficult and sporadic to access. … It’s unreliable by its very nature.”