The West, where Republicans act like progressives Idaho, Policy Issues, Republicans, The Big Strategy

Here's something that will make Dems back east scratch their heads. The Republican Speaker in Idaho is coming out against Wal-Mart (thanks 43rd State Blues):

The speaker of the state House of Representatives is mulling a proposal that could require businesses to provide employees with insurance, or reimburse Idaho for publicly funded health care costs.

Medicaid costs have grown tenfold since 1990, and now account for about 14 percent of state spending.

To try to reverse the trend, Rep. Bruce Newcomb, R-Burley, is proposing that employers buy health insurance for their workers, or pay the state to offset Medicaid costs.

Newcomb's target: Wal-Mart stores.

He cites a 2002 Georgia study that he said shows employees at the world's largest retailer disproportionately benefit from publicly funded health care, compared to workers at other businesses.

"Rather than taxpayers subsidizing the wealthiest family in the world, maybe the wealthiest family in the world ought to reimburse Medicaid," Newcomb told the Idaho Statesman.

Not that he isn't stealing a Democrat idea, he is. Democratic State Senator Clint Stennet makes sure everyone knows (thanks 43rd State Blues again):

... in Idaho and nationally — Democrats have taken the lead in seeking the broadest, most innovative solutions to the health insurance crisis.

It was Idaho Democrats who introduced a bill in February 2004 that would have ensured that state contracts could only go to companies that provide health-care insurance to at least 80 percent of full- and part-time employees, for companies with 25 or more employees. The legislation was bottled up in a GOP-dominated committee, even though it would have generated savings for the state's catastrophic health-care fund, Medicaid expenditures, and health-insurance rates.

A GOP statewide leader latching onto a progressive policy gives us a much clearer view of what is happening in the West and why Democrats can make serious inroads out here.

Emmett O'Connell | August 10, 2005 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: The West, where Republicans act like progressives Idaho, Policy Issues, Republicans, The Big Strategy

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