Idaho health care coalition blasts House vote

“Close the Gap Idaho”, a coalition of state health care interests, is denouncing House passage of the American Health Care Act Thursday. The group said the bill would have a devastating impact on low-income children and families, seniors, Idahoans with disabilities, and more than 660,000 Idahoans with pre-existing health conditions. Close the Gap claims the bill will throw an estimated 138,000 Idahoans off their health insurance, including people with employer-sponsored insurance and individuals who purchase their insurance on Idaho’s health insurance exchange. Idaho Medical Association Chief Executive Officer Susie Pouliot said, “the AHCA puts chronically ill people at risk of being priced out of the insurance market if they can even find coverage at all. IMA is disappointed with this outcome that will hurt many Idahoans.” This measure also opens the door for insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Approximately 662,319 Idahoans had pre-existing conditions prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act and the creation of Idaho’s health exchange. That could affect kids with asthma, diabetes, and heart defects, as well as cancer survivors, expecting mothers, and others with a wide range of pre-existing conditions. Brian Whitlock, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Idaho Hospital Association and Close the Gap steering committee member said, “Idaho hospitals are extremely concerned that 24 million Americans will potentially lose coverage. It is difficult to understand how increasing the ranks of the uninsured, even after kicking in an additional $8 billion going to insurance companies over five years for high-risk pools, improves access to care and bends the cost curve.” Whitlock said the bill also imposes annual and lifetime caps for life-saving treatments. Close the Gap said Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador voted to support the AHCA, even though an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office had not been done. The group said the full impact of the proposal could have other unknown impacts.