Released by Close the Gap Idaho

Media Contacts:
Neva Santos Cell: 208-407-1854
Darryl-lynn Oakes, Idaho Hospital Association: 208-571-6521 (cell) 208-489-1405 (office)

January 7, 2015

Statements from Close the Gap Idaho on Shortcomings of Governor’s Primary Care Access Program

“What Governor Otter proposed today about making health care available is a partial solution to address the needs of the 78,000 Idahoans without affordable health care coverage. While investing in primary care is useful, as offered by PCAP, it will not provide the needed diagnostic or treatment options to maximally keep patients out of the emergency room or from costly hospitalization.”
- Neva Santos, Executive Director, Idaho Academy of Family Physicians

“This proposal is an initial step, but it is an incomplete solution. The conversation won’t be complete until we have a system in place that not only makes fiscal sense, but also utilizes resources efficiently and effectively to provide appropriate coverage for our fellow Idahoans.”
- Brian Whitlock, President, Idaho Hospital Association

“We appreciate the Governor and Legislature exploring the healthcare issues of Idahoans and investigating options to assist the 78,000 Idahoans in the health care coverage gap. Addressing these issues now will help save lives and also taxpayer money. We feel the Healthy Idaho Plan is a comprehensive plan while the Primary Care Access Program is only a partial plan that provides limited benefits.”
-Ted Epperly, CEO, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho

Close the Gap Idaho is a network of over 120 organizations statewide, established in 2013 to inform Idahoans about the need to close the health care coverage gap. Close the Gap sees PCAP as insufficient to manage existing or ongoing ailments. A better alternative is he Healthy Idaho Plan, recommended by Governor Otter’s 2014 Medicaid Redesign Workgroup. The Healthy Idaho Plan is a unique, Idaho-based solution that brings Idahoans’ taxpayer dollars back to Idaho, rather than funding health care in other states.

“The Healthy Idaho Plan is comprehensive care with provisions for managing long -term chronic conditions and short term ailments. It’s the best choice for Idaho. PCAP has to be a first step, not the end game in solving this serious problem of lack of health care for 78,000 Idahoans,” Santos said.

NOTE: Close the Gap Idaho will hold a media briefing at 2:30 pm January 11, on the third floor of the Statehouse to explain the differences between the Healthy Idaho Plan and the Primary Care Access Program.

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