Health care reform foes: Take money, you still win

This commentary from the Moscow-Pullman Daily News does not necessarily reflect the view of The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board.

The upcoming legislative session in Boise is shaping up to be a slugfest between Republicans.

In one corner is Gov. Butch Otter and a satchel full of federal health care dollars. In the other corner are those members of the Grand Old Party who are – at least in this instance – diehard states’ rights advocates and are demanding the governor return the money.

It’s no secret power brokers in Idaho don’t want anything to do with President Barack Obama’s health care plan, despite it being the law of the land.

Lawmakers in Boise prefer to deal with the health care needs of Idahoans on the state level. They see no reason the feds need to meddle in such things.

Last Tuesday, Idaho was awarded a $20.4 million grant to set up an insurance exchange required by Obama’s health care overhaul. The exchange will “serve as an online marketplace for uninsured people to buy private coverage starting in 2014,” according to an Associated Press story.

Not a bad idea. Such an exchange will allow many Idahoans to find affordable health insurance that fits their needs.

Here’s where it gets a bit sticky. The Legislature must give the OK for the state to spend money on an exchange.

Idaho is among 27 states challenging the federal health care overhaul in court. They feel the feds have no authority to force states to accept the overhaul.

For those Idaho officials opposed to the federal health care reform, it’s a 10th Amendment states’ rights issue.

Now Otter is in a bit of a pickle. He also is a card-carrying states’ rights advocate. That’s what makes him a popular politician in the state.

To the casual observer, taking the federal money may seem to be a major philosophy shift for the governor.

But that’s not the case. The move is a shrewd political one that outdoes the opposing legislators.

If the money is rejected and the courts uphold the overhaul as constitutional, then the feds will set up the exchanges.

So by accepting the money, Otter is asserting his state’s-rights self by allowing Idaho to set up the exchanges they way it wants. Those legislators who oppose using the money are, in fact, taking a stance decidedly not in the state’s interest by setting a welcome mat for federal intervention.

It won’t be pretty, but Otter will probably prevail.

And after the political dust settles, we hope those uninsured folks in Idaho will fare just as well.