It appears that once again the Idaho Legislature, Governor Otter and Attorney General Wasden are a little premature--this time in spouting off about "states rights" and "unconstitutional mandates." While Idaho's already bare-bones budget is being systematically dismembered due to lack of revenue (some would say, the lack of will to raise revenue), the Legislature passed the Idaho Health FreeDumb Act.
Then Governor Otter proudly declared "a high priority on sovereignty," publicly making a show of signing it into law and curiously becoming semi-notorious for doing so. (Contrast that with his "cloak and dagger" swearing in... what was that all about?)
Not to be outdone, then AG Wasden (cheered on by "stop this insanity" Otter) announces that he's joined 12 other states in a lawsuit against the federal government and "it will not be inexpensive" to "protect" Idahoans from health care.
Now, it seems all of that is moot . . . or the political grandstanding it appeared to be.
From Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) discussing a provision of the legislation he authored saying, "You don't have to abide by it -- just set up your own plan."
It's called the "Empowering States to be Innovative" amendment. And it would, quite literally, give states the right to set up their own health care system -- with or without an individual mandate or, for that matter, with or without a public option -- provided that, as Wyden puts it, "they can meet the coverage requirements of the bill."
Governor Otter, AG Wasden, Idaho Legislature: Stop this insanity. We don't have the money to waste on political grandstanding, your 15 minutes of shame or to refurbish your anti-gumment credentials.
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