Trib: Loertscher Is ‘Voice Of Reason’
In his weekly Cheers & Jeers column, opinionator Marty Trillhaase/Lewiston Tribune offers cheers to an unlikely reciprient -- Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona:
"When it comes to enacting one of Obamacare's most sweeping change in the Gem State, Loertscher has become the voice of reason. Under Obamacare, Idaho can extend Medicaid to low-income adults. No state has more reason to act. Under a law Loertscher sponsored in 1992, state and county taxpayers now pay the cost of treatment for anyone deemed unable to pay his medical bills.This program now costs $55 million. Factor in medical inflation and rising case loads and taxpayers could pay as much as $77 million next year. "There's no end in sight," Loertscher says. Unless Idaho agrees to expand Medicaid. Then, for the next three years, the federal government will pick up 100 percent of the cost of covering an estimated 80,000 Idahoans. After that, the state's share would never exceed 10 percent."
Question: Any legislator out there whom you want to give a shout out to today?
