Reclaim Idaho Opposes Restriction To Medicaid Expansion
Reclaim Idaho, the volunteer organization responsible for putting Medicaid Expansion on the November 2018 ballot, testified Monday against a restriction designed to keep otherwise eligible Medicaid Expansion citizens on taxpayer-subsidized health insurance.
“Idaho voters overwhelmingly approved a so-called ‘clean’ Medicaid Expansion program without restrictions to coverage,” said Luke Mayville, co-founder of Reclaim Idaho. “This restriction does nothing more than put working families at risk and increase costs for Idahoans who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Specifically, this restriction would direct certain low-income Idahoans to purchase government-subsidized health insurance plans, or keep the exchange-based plans they already have, even though they qualify for Medicaid Expansion. This particular restriction could affect thousands of Idahoans and cost Idaho taxpayers millions of dollars every year. This is the first of numerous amendments Idaho lawmakers put on voter-approved Medicaid Expansion which must meet scrutiny from federal regulators.
“Medicaid Expansion benefits are far more reliable, more comprehensive, and much safer for Idaho families,” said Rebecca Schroeder, Reclaim Idaho executive director. “Legislators are putting thousands of Idahoans in jeopardy with this restriction. What they are proposing is not just irresponsible, it’s cruel.”
Reclaim Idaho is the nonpartisan, volunteer organization responsible for getting Medicaid Expansion on the November 2018 ballot. The measure passed with 61 percent of the statewide vote. In addition to providing healthcare access to tens of thousands of Idahoans, Medicaid Expansion is expected to bring back $400 million in federal funds to Idaho, shore up Idaho’s rural hospitals, and create thousands of jobs around the state.
Resident To Survey Citizens On Bellevue Development
Valley resident Gina Pearson has launched an online survey on the proposed Strahorn Ranch Development in Bellevue. The purpose of the survey, Pearson says, is to gather information on visitor and community preferences related to the development’s potential area of impact.
Pearson plans to present the results to the mayor and city council July 8, at the council’s regular session at Bellevue City Hall.
“We, the people, should have a voice in how the planning process for this development occurs in order to preserve the high quality of life we all are blessed with,” Pearson said.
The survey can be found online at tinyurl.com/y5ev5zc4 and information about the development can be found online at tinyurl.com/y2ao97od.
Sun Valley Roadwork Keeps Driving Forward
In the fall of 2017, Sun Valley voters approved a $17.5 million bond for road and pathway improvements throughout their city. Construction activities are under way for year two of the four-year program.
As the project moves into the neighborhoods, residents should expect minor and temporary delays due to single lanes. As construction takes place, surface conditions will range from rough milled asphalt surface to compacted gravel. All roads will be reopened to two-way traffic at the end of each construction day.
Specific neighborhoods will receive additional information via door hangers as construction approaches their area. In general, officials are also trying to make drivers aware of the following traffic updates:
Elkhorn Road will remain closed to thru traffic from Skyline Drive to South Village Way during construction activities through the end of this week.
The bike path adjacent to Elkhorn Road is closed from Skyline Drive to South Village Way. Pedestrians and cyclists should continue to use the Village Way bike path as a detour route.
Starting the week of June 24, flaggers will be on Elkhorn Road from South Village Way to Morning Star to direct traffic around construction areas. Elkhorn Road will remain open to all traffic.
Flaggers will also be on Juniper Road directing traffic around construction areas. Juniper Road will remain open to all traffic.
Paving of Elkhorn Road and Pathway between Skyline Drive to South Village Way.
Roadway rehabilitation (CRABS) is scheduled to occur on Juniper Road.
Juniper and Elkhorn Road from South Village Way to Morning Star will be paved.
Ketchum Issues Second Call For Mural Artists
The City of Ketchum has issued a second call for professional, Idaho-based artists to design and paint a mural in the Ketchum Visitor Center. This project is made possible by a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
The selected artist or artistic team will work with the City of Ketchum Arts Commission to design a 9-foot-high-by-25-foot-wide mural that reflects the character of Ketchum and the surrounding area. Possible themes include local history, culture, flora, fauna or landscape.
The final design will be recommended by the Ketchum Arts Commission to the Ketchum City Council for approval. Upon approval by the Ketchum City Council and successful completion of the mural, the artist(s) will receive a fee of $6,000 and a reimbursement for up to $500 for materials.
The call for artists, which provides detailed information on the submission process, can be found at www.ketchumidaho.org/arts. The deadline for submission is July 1, no later than 5 p.m.
College Bound: Local Grads Rake It In
Blaine County School District has released its Class of 2018-2019 graduation statistics relating to university-bound seniors. Wood River High School students from the Class of 2019 received $1,871,581 in scholarships and grants and were accepted to more than 150 colleges around the country. Some of the high-profile schools include Harvard, Dartmouth, New York University, Pepperdine, Purdue, USC, Vassar, Villanova and University of Washington.
Local Family Honored By Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
A prominent philanthropic organization will be honoring a longtime Valley family later this year at the Las Madrinas Ball to be held Dec. 21 in Los Angeles.
Las Madrinas is part of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and has been supporting pediatric medicine for more than 85 years. Since 1939, Las Madrinas has honored families who have demonstrated a commitment to the civic, cultural and philanthropic life of Southern California by presenting their daughters at the annual Las Madrinas Ball.
Clover Griffin was selected along with 25 other young women for the debutante honor. Clover Griffin is the granddaughter of Cynnie and Wayne Griffin, residents of Ketchum, and now Hailey, for the last 30-plus years. Their son Zack and his wife Jennifer have owned a home in Ketchum the last five years; Clover is Zack’s daughter.
Know The ‘Know Before You Go’ Camping Checklist
If you plan to visit the Sawtooth National Forest during the Independence Day holiday, “Know before you go,” suggests Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jim DeMaagd. What’s important to know? Read on:
Fireworks are prohibited on all national forests, year-round. Even if it’s “green,” please practice good sense by using caution with fire and smoking at all times, in all places.
Responsible Motorized Use. Please stay on designated routes and obtain the appropriate travel maps before you go. On the Sawtooth National Forest, visitors should carry the FREE Motorized Vehicle Use Maps, available at Forest Service offices throughout south-central Idaho. Digital maps for mobile applications can be downloaded at www.avenza.com/pdf-maps/store. Please do not go around a Road Closed sign.
Be Careful with Fire. While the forest looks green, fire danger is an important concern. Fires can start very quickly and burn in vegetation that may seem green but is drying out at an alarming rate. There are no fire restrictions at this time. Please, when leaving your campsite for the day or when leaving for home, “make sure your campfire is cold to the touch.”
Recreation Information. All campgrounds are open with the exception of the following:
Baumgartner Campground is under construction and is closed.
Thompson Flats, Twin Lakes and Lake Cleveland are closed due to snow.
Grandjean Campground is closed due to a landslide.
Stanley Lake Inlet has been removed; Stanley Lake consists of three loops that include Lakeview Campground.
Keep it Clean to Avoid Bear Encounters. Bears often develop a strong liking for human and pet foods. Store food in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof containers; keep sleeping areas, tents and sleeping bags free from food and food odors; and wash up, change clothes and remove all scented articles nearby before going to bed. Wild bears avoid people, but bears conditioned to human food can be aggressive and may be euthanized if problems occur.
