Otter names members of two groups to examine health reform efforts

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter appointed 26 people to two separate working groups that will examine how the state should act on two separate planks of upcoming federal health care reform. The two groups will study whether Idaho should expand Medicaid coverage to people well above the poverty line and if the state should set up a health insurance exchange, which would help businesses and individuals compare and buy insurance. The two policies are part of the 2010 federal health care reform plan, which was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dick Armstrong will lead the Medicaid group, which will meet first on Aug. 6. Department of Insurance Director Bill Deal will lead the exchange group. Both groups feature likely proponents and opponents of the federal expansions. The exchange group includes Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, who has called for a special session to take steps to implement an exchange, as well as exchange critic Wayne Hoffman, executive director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.

Other members of the health insurance exchange working group include:

• Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene

• Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise

• Zelda Geyer-Sylvia, executive vice president/chief operating officer, Blue Cross of Idaho

• Scott Kreiling, president, Regence BlueShield of Idaho

• Dave Self, senior and regional director of Idaho and Washington, PacificSource Health Plans

• Tom Shores, independent health insurance broker, Shores Insurance

• Kevin Settles, owner, Bardenay Restaurant and Distilleries

• John Livingston, physician

• Alex LaBeau, president, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry

• John Watts, lobbyist, Idaho Chamber Alliance

The appointees to the Medicaid expansion working group are:

• Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston

• Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow

• Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley

• Brent Reinke, director, Idaho Department of Correction

• Dan Chadwick, executive director, Idaho Association of Counties

• Tom Faulkner, Gooding County Commissioner

• Ted Epperly, program director and CEO, Family Medical Residency of Idaho

• Bill Woodhouse, associate director of Family Medical Residency Program, Idaho State University

• Steve Millard, president, Idaho Hospital Association

• Susie Pouliot, CEO, Idaho Medical Association

• Bill Roscoe, executive director, Boise Rescue Mission

• Elizabeth Ambrose Gray, nurse practitioner

• Denise Chuckovich, executive director, Idaho Primary Care Association

• Stephen Weeg, executive director, Health West Inc.