The first of those to testify to lawmakers on the health coverage gap this afternoon have been calling in from other parts of the state to speak. Among those who have spoken so far:

Susan Souvenir, who is medical office manager for her husband, Dr. David Souvenir, in Coeur d’Alene, said he is the only board-certified infectious disease specialist in the Idaho Panhandle. They frequently see patients who lack insurance. “During the past 11 years, I have seen the inadequacy of the county assistance program, and I know that we could do better,” she said. She sees forms on a weekly basis from that program, showing applicants have medical debt ranging from $2,000 to $850,000. “Many of the people that apply for assistance don’t qualify and end up in bankruptcy,” she said. "Those that do qualify have liens placed on their homes.” She said, “We can do better. It is time to close the gap.”

Dr. Steven Kohtz of Twin Falls, a family physician, said he sees “the working poor who don’t have health insurance, and they’re paying cash to get what would normally be primary care conditions, but result in emergencies for them.” He said, “From my perspective, seeing these patients, it’s been a little bit of a moral hazard, because they tend to be our working poor, and they see that if they made less money, they would be able to get health care. … They’re stuck in the middle and oftentimes working two or three jobs. … I have had a number of patients express to me that they really feel like the community doesn’t care about them, that they’ve fallen through the cracks.”

Xenia Williams of Jerome said, “The people that I know … needing Medicaid ... are getting no consideration, other than every year the Legislature talks it over and turns it down. It’s a real need for some really sick and unemployed young people. They are told to find a job. It’s difficult. Old people are told find a job – no way out for them.  The Legislature should listen to the doctors and nurses and hospitals and sick people. … Some people won’t be here next year if you don’t do the right thing this year.”