Pfister: ‘So-called gap population needs work, not welfare’

The final presentation to lawmakers on the health coverage gap working group today is another Idaho Freedom Foundation-backed presentation, from Gregg Pfister, legislative relations director for the Naples, Fla.-based Foundation for Government Accountability. He told the panel, “These people need work, not welfare. A full time minimum-wage job is enough to lift almost all of them out of poverty and into the category of individuals who qualify” for federal health insurance subsidies to help them buy insurance. He said by expanding Medicaid, “You are extending Medicaid to people that already have insurance … growing government and reducing your budgetary flexibility.”

Sen. Maryanne Jordan, D-Boise, questioned Pfister’s data, saying Idaho data shows its gap population mainly consists of uninsured working families, many with children. He said he’s citing national data.

“The solution to that would be the same solution that I mentioned earlier, it’s a good-paying job. … There are jobs out there and that’s the solution,” he said. “To move people onto this dependency … that’s not compassionate.”

Pfister said, “Medicaid expansion prioritizes able-bodied adults over its most vulnerable citizens. Its costs are uncontrollable. … It will help direct people with insurance onto Medicaid, and it puts the truly needy at risk.” He added, “The so-called gap population needs work, not welfare.”