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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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55,000 Idahoans Bear Brunt of Idaho’s Medicaid Refusal

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Monday, December 16, 2013   

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho is in the minority when it comes to states saying "no" to federal money for Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act. Most states have accepted the money so all of their citizens can access health insurance.

Health care and faith groups have been holding meetings around Idaho to explain what is going on. Christine Tiddens, public policy and communications coordinator, Catholic Charities of Idaho, said hundreds have attended the sessions, and most are surprised to learn that 55,000 Idahoans will fall into a health coverage gap in 2014.

"What we really have now is the poorest in Idaho are not eligible to receive Medicaid, and they don't make enough money to qualify for exchange premium assistance. They're falling through the cracks," Tiddens said.

Idaho has a unique situation, she explained. When people cannot pay medical bills, taxpayers often foot the bill through county indigent funds or the state Catastrophic Health Care Fund. She pointed out that both could go away if the state redesigned Medicaid and accepted the federal money.

"These are two really costly programs that are being funded by our state and county tax dollars, covering a very small amount of people in a very poor manner," she said.

Idaho's refusal has been based on concerns about what Medicaid will cost the state when federal subsidies are reduced in a few years, and some of the refusal is connected to disapproval of the Affordable Care Act in general. However, Tiddens noted, other ultra-conservative states, such as Arizona and Arkansas, have decided to accept the federal funds, because they have determined it will save them state money in the long run.




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