Medicaid Hearing Attracts Throngs

Even as the hearing has begun this afternoon on Medicaid cuts, hundreds still are waiting in line outside to sign up to testify. The Capitol Auditorium, the state’s largest hearing room, is full; some people are standing at the back; and overflow rooms are being opened up to allow people to watch the hearing on video monitors. (Eye On Boise photo: Betsy Russell)

• Consolidating testimony
• Testimony: “Can’t believe we’re treating him like that here in the U.S.”
• Testimony: “Dignity, self worth,” “Lose the progress,” “Pleading with you”
• Testimony: “On your 45th birthday, you’re done”
• Testimony: “Expensive, unrealistic,” “She will end up dead,” “Save dollars for the state”
• Medicaid hearing testimony: “It will cause a humanitarian crisis”
• Nearly all want to testify against

Question: Why would anyone waste their time to testify to this Legislature, which has shown repeatedly that it isn’t willing to listen, even if a majority support or oppose an issue?