Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

The Tax Man Cometh

Posted on January 29, 2020 by ddxdx

It’s a stark contrast to watch legislators propose some dramatic tax policy changes then read the Boise State Public Policy Survey. I attended a Republican traveling town hall a few weeks back and there was lots of talk about property … Continue reading →

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Idaho; Poverty and Justice

Posted on January 21, 2020 by ddxdx

Governor Little has a sense of justice. And he’s acting on it. He’s fighting poverty in Idaho, though he doesn’t freely use the term. This week we remember Martin Luther King. He fought against racial injustice but more, he knew … Continue reading →

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Apology

Posted on January 15, 2020 by ddxdx

I owe an apology to Bryan Taylor, Prosecutor for Canyon County. I hope this is good enough for him. Last week I wrote about Canyon County’s Followers of Christ Church and their strong belief in faith healing over medical treatments … Continue reading →

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If Canyon County Cared

Posted on January 8, 2020 by ddxdx

For the past eight years, advocates have come to the Idaho legislature requesting repeal of Idaho’s “Religious Shield Laws”. Advocates say children are dying because parents refuse life-saving treatment for their children. Religious Shield laws protect parents from prosecution in … Continue reading →

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Board Certification

Posted on January 1, 2020 by ddxdx

I think I just took my Family Medicine Board Certification test for the last time. They didn’t kick me out for my lousy scores, its just things are changing. Most people (patients) aren’t aware of the hoops and hurdles of … Continue reading →

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Health Care Limbo

Posted on December 25, 2019 by ddxdx

Congress makes policy changes nowadays in mammoth budget bills. I guess they chat about who gets what over bourbon or martinis, then lump it all together in a thousand pages and trillions of dollars. Health care policy took a left … Continue reading →

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Santa Comes to the Capitol

Posted on December 17, 2019 by ddxdx

Santa’s sleigh circled the dome and found a safe spot to perch. Santa stretched his legs, swung his big belly out and planted his boots in the crusty Boise snow. He patted Dunder’s and Bitzen’s flanks and circled back for … Continue reading →

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Surprise Medical Bills

Posted on December 14, 2019 by ddxdx

The ambulance has brought you to the closest emergency room after you collapsed eating your cheeseburger. The EMTs got your heart going again but your sweat soaks through your Seahawks sweatshirt and it feels like there is a chain binder … Continue reading →

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Mastering Engagement

Posted on December 3, 2019 by ddxdx

It has been heartening for me to see a local uproar involving our school district that didn’t have to do with a levy, teacher pay or athletics. Our little dust up has to do with “Mastery Based Learning”. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Don’t be a Tool

Posted on November 26, 2019 by ddxdx

I went to a public forum on Federal lands in Idaho a few years back that the Idaho legislature sponsored. It was a traveling interim committee meeting the legislature set up to consider just what the Idaho legislature should do … Continue reading →

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