03/18/10

As the debate remains heated in Washington D.C., Idaho yesterday passed a measure to sue the federal government over health insurance mandates.

Idaho is taking the first punch against federal health care reform. Governor C.L. “Butch” otter signed into law a measure that requires the state attorney general to sue the federal government over health care mandates.

37 other states have similar legislation pending.

Professor Russ Tremayne, Doctor of History at the College of Southern Idaho says, "Idaho gets the designation to be the first to ultimately stand up and pass it. There seems to be a great pride in taking that philosophical position."

Governor Otter his point was "to protect the people, which is one of our first obligations as a government is the right thing to do."

Alfonse Ingalls agrees with the law and believes the state should have protection against the health care mandate.

Ingalls says, "I don't think the government should be telling us that we have to have our own healthcare and mandate it and fine us if we don't sign up with their program. I think this is abusive and I think the state should have their right to bow out if they want."

But others feel this has been a waste of time for the Idaho legislature.

Tremayne says, "I wish our Legislature would focus on coming up with resources for dealing with the economic crisis of our time as opposed to really dealing with philosophical jousting that in the end is really going to be meaningless."

Twin Falls resident Joseph Brollier says, "It's almost like starting an argument within government, state and federal and that creates more problems."

Without any republican support, the health care plan will move towards its first vote on Sunday.

Twin Falls resident Erford Whaley says, "It almost looks like Sunday, when Congress meets to vote, it will be passed. If it is, the President will vote immediately so he can be about other business."