Closed Meeting Planned on Idaho Health Exchange

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's health insurance exchange board plans a 3-hour, 40-minute meeting behind the closed doors of a Boise law office Thursday, nearly twice as long as a public meeting later that day, where citizens will be excluded.

When the 2013 Legislature approved Idaho's exchange in April, it made clear it wanted open meetings. In fact, lawmakers even required every effort be made to televise meetings. The reason: With so many Republicans against an exchange, making it as transparent as possible would establish public trust and boost success.

But exchange chairman Stephen Weeg of Pocatello said Thursday's closed session will allow frank exchanges between board members and their private attorneys about records exempt from public disclosure because they enjoy attorney-client privilege. No votes or decisions can be made in Thursday's private session.