Insurance bill requires mental illness parity
Idaho would take a first step toward parity in health coverage for mental illnesses under legislation that passed the House Health and Welfare Committee on a 6-4 vote Wednesday.
The measure, House Bill 615, would set up a pilot project to give parity to state employees. Idaho is now one of only two states that has no parity requirements, which mandate that health insurance cover mental illnesses just as it covers physical illnesses. The pilot project would show what such a change would cost – or save – in Idaho.
In a two-hour hearing, testimony was overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with only one person – Teresa Molitor, lobbyist for the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry – opposed.
Lynn Darrington, lobbyist for Regence BlueShield of Idaho, told the committee that Regence is neutral on HB 615. Insurers traditionally oppose mandates, Darrington said, but she said the pilot project is “appropriate” and will allow insurers and others to see what the costs really are.
A similar bill failed by eight votes in the full House last year.
– Betsy Z. Russell
Hunting trophies to be on display
Some of Idaho’s biggest hunting trophies will be on display Friday and Saturday in Coeur d’Alene at a state-sponsored big game exhibit and measuring event.
Hunters who harvested trophy big game animals last season are invited to bring the antlers, skulls and horns for free measurements. Hunters with trophies from previous seasons are encouraged to display them.
The event is hosted by the Idaho Fish and Game Department and will be held at North Idaho Fairgrounds’ Wildlife Education Building. Measurements and displays begin at 1 p.m. Friday and will continue through 8 p.m. Measurements will also be taken Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Displays will be open through 6 p.m. Saturday.
Game measurers will be certified by the Boone and Crockett Club, Pope and Young Club or Longhunter Society. Only wild specimens will be measured.
– James Hagengruber
BOISE
Legislators catch Vandal football fever
Vandal football fever has spread across Idaho, reaching even the House and Senate chambers of the Statehouse.
The two chambers took breaks from scheduled lawmaking Wednesday to recognize newly hired University of Idaho football coach Dennis Erickson, who stopped by the Capitol with UI President Tim White.
“Go, Vandals,” said Senate Majority Caucus Chairman and UI graduate Brad Little, R-Emmett, after he welcomed Erickson back to the state where the coach started his career.
Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, had his picture taken with Erickson, who coached the Vandals in the early 1980s and won two national championships with the University of Miami in the 1990s.
– Meghann M. Cuniff