10.30.2018 / Press Release

Governor Otter’s Leadership Shows Medicaid Expansion Need Not be a Partisan Issue

Washington, D.C. —Today, Idaho Governor Butch Otter announced his endorsement of a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid to 62,000 Idaho residents that will appear on ballots across the state of Idaho on Election Day. For nearly a year, grassroots activists, consumer health leaders and health care groups in Idaho have organized to qualify a ballot initiative that would allow adults who are making less than about $17,000 a year for a single adult, or less than about $29,000 a year for a family of three, to have access to health care coverage through the Medicaid program.  On Election Day, Idaho voters will have an opportunity to cast their votes on the ballot measure.

The Following is the statement of Patrick Willard, Senior Director of State and National Strategic Partnerships at Families USA:

“It is incredibly inspiring to see Governor Otter speaking out to support the efforts of grassroots organizers and health care groups in his state to expand Medicaid, ensuring that 62,000 Idahoans finally get access to health care coverage that is so desperately needed. Governor Otter’s leadership demonstrates that Medicaid expansion need not be a partisan issue.

“Expanding Medicaid not only ensure that every family in this country has the ability to see a doctor when they need one, but it also is a smart and fiscally responsible choice, where the federal government pays for 90 percent of the costs, and the states are responsible for the remaining 10 percent. Across the country, Medicaid expansion has reduced the number of uninsured, increased families’ financial security, and bolstered the economy in states that have expanded.

“We applaud Governor Otter for endorsing Proposition 2 on Idaho’s ballot, and we encourage other Governors to follow his leadership in supporting efforts to expand health care coverage for families across the country.”

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