BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho Representative John Gannon (D-Boise) is ringing the alarm bells about the true cost to Idahoans if Medicaid expansion is repealed.
New figures released by the Legislative Services Office show that repealing Medicaid expansion would mean Idaho sending back $1.03 billion to the federal government, and several million dollars dedicated to help pay for medicine that people desperately need.
“You can bet that other states with Medicaid Expansion will try to grab this extra money for their own programs,” says Rep. Gannon. Idaho sending the Medicaid money back to the federal government doesn’t mean that it would be spent on anything other than Medicaid programs in different states, but it does mean that Idahoans will be on the hook for increased expenses.
Rep. Gannon goes on to say that “Medicaid expansion repeal would be one of the worst business decisions in Idaho history. Those burdened by kidney disease, cancer, heart disorders, and other crippling diseases are not going to just vanish because a billion dollars isn’t here. They need care, and their health care industry costs will increase insurance premiums, and Idaho taxpayers will have to develop a catastrophic program again.”
Idahonews.com is asking questions of members of the JFAC committee in response to the new figures released by the Legislative Services Office on the Medicaid cuts. We will continue to update you as we learn more.