Senate debates state insurance exchange
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Senators alternatively blasted a state-based insurance exchange as the height of federal tyranny and praised it as a salvo for Idaho sovereignty during what's due to be the final legislative debate on the issue of the 2013 session.
Debate started around 10 a.m. Thursday and was expected to last hours.
The Senate went six hours on a similar bill in February.
The House last week exceeded seven hours on a slightly different version that now needs Senate consent.
Sen. John Tippets of Montpelier, the bill's sponsor, said Idaho will be better protected from a feared single-payer, federal insurance system by establishing its own online marketplace to sell insurance to individuals and small businesses.
Sen. Russ Fulcher of Meridian countered a state exchange will attach Idaho to the strings of "the federal puppeteer."
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.