Idaho Committee Moves State Health Exchange Bill to the House

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The House Health and Welfare Committee backed a state-based, nonprofit insurance exchange, saying it wasn't a perfect solution but that it was better than merely accepting a version run from Washington, D.C. Thursday's vote, with just one representative against the measure, sends it to the House for debate.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter backs Idaho's plan for an online marketplace for individuals and small businesses to buy insurance, arguing it keeps the state in control and will be less expensive than a federal exchange. Critics say he's acquiescing to federal demands. Both views' defenders were in the Capitol Thursday morning. Senior advocate AARP pushed for a state exchange.

Karen Calisterio, of the libertarian-leaning Republican Liberty Caucus of Idaho, countered state-exchange backers were merely taking "a seat at the table of tyranny."