Cato And ALEC Reps To Speak At Health Exchange Meeting

Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact

Part of the health insurance exchange work group at their first meeting earlier this month.

The governor’s group to study whether Idaho should have a health insurance exchange meets for the second time today.

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter created two work groups following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Obama’s health care law.  Otter must decide whether Idaho should set up an online marketplace for people to purchase health insurance, and whether the state should expand Medicaid eligibility.

Health policy studies director at the Libertarian-leaning Cato Institute Michael Cannon is scheduled to speak to the group.  Cannon’s online bio says he was a policy analyst for the Senate’s Republican Policy Committee, working with former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig.

The American Legislative Exchange Council’s interim director of the health and human services task force, Sean Riley, will also speak.

The health insurance exchange work group meets at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol.  Idaho Public Television will live-stream the meeting.