An NPR member station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Idaho Prop 2 Supporters Celebrate Big Win

Reclaim Idaho

Supporters of Idaho’s Proposition 2 are celebrating a victory today.

The measure that would allow the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program was approved by more than 60% of voters. Its sponsors say accepting federal money to expand the program will provide health care to tens of thousands of working poor Idaho residents who don’t now have it.

Emily Strizich is from the group Reclaim Idaho. She was one of the volunteers who worked to collect the signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot.

“After traveling all around the state and meeting hundreds of Idahoans who are having to choose between groceries or an asthma inhaler or keeping the heat on in the winter versus going to the doctor to get their blood pressure medication, this win provides those Idahoans with the security and the comfort of knowing that they are going to have health care access if they need it," Strizich said.

She says she was dismayed to hear many legislative candidates who vowed to block funding for the program if the initiative passed. Governor-elect Brad Little has said Medicaid expansion is not his preferred method for making health care more available, but that he would abide by the wishes of the voters.