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Eye On Boise

Testimony: ‘Working poor should not be penalized’

Here’s more of the testimony at today’s health coverage gap hearing:

Clella Steinke, mother-in-law of Jenny Steinke, an eastern Idaho woman who died of complications from asthma while she had no health coverage, told the lawmakers, “No one wants to die at 36 years. No one wants to become a widower after 10 years of marriage.” She said, “The working poor should not be penalized for having medical needs for which they cannot afford to pay. … We can bring back our federal tax dollars with our working poor that they’re sending right along with all the others.”

Mindy Hong, executive director of the Pocatello Free Clinic, said, “All of our patients are uninsured, and 65 percent of the population at my clinic makes less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level. The first thing I want to make clear to you today is that charity care options are not viable options to close the gap.” She said, “You would need 145 clinics comparable in size to mine,” and her clinic already has 90 medical and dental volunteers every year. “We passed a resolution last year advocating that charity care is not the answer and asking for a comprehensive solution using state and federal dollars.” Under questioning from Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, Hong said her clinic is funded by grants and private contributions.

Brittany Ruland of Twin Falls said, “Today I’m here to ask, I’m here to plead, I’m here to beg you to give me access to the health care I need to live. … Our lives are in your hands.” A 25-year-old mother of three who was diagnosed with a rare brain disease, she has no health insurance and can’t afford a potentially lifesaving surgery. She said she works six days a week, but doesn’t make enough to qualify for insurance subsidies through the state insurance exchange.

Dr. Bruce Belzer, president of the Idaho Medical Association, said, “All across the board it’s virtually unanimous: We need a comprehensive solution for these patients. There’s no other way to fix what’s going on without a comprehensive solution. …  We all have these patients. They might not die but they’re incurring staggering debt, they might not be able to work.” He said, "We need an Idaho solution - you guys can provide that."



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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