Just a short time left for public testimony today

There’s only 20 minutes left for the 90-minute hearing, and senators have just finished questioning the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Wayne Hoffman. “The bad news is we don’t have much time left today for the hearing,” Senate Commerce Chairman John Tippets said. “Some of you probably traveled long distances to be here. … We can probably only hear from about six folks or so before we end this meeting at 3 o’clock.”

He then invited those who can’t return on Thursday to come forward to testify. First up was Joe Kawalec of Eagle, who said, “I do not know why the state wants to reinvent the wheel. You have Medicaid for children, you have Medicaid for adults. … I mean, this is a worm hole. It just sucks in everything, sucks in the oxygen. What we’re really looking at is 16 mini-czars controlling one of Idaho’s industries, the insurance.” He said, “The fact remains, is I’m against it.”

Eric Pedersen of Boise told the committee, “I’m against this, I’m against any form of health insurance exchange.” He said, “We have God-given rights, and the better strategy is just to stand up and say no.”