Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

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

Marijuana is not Medical

Posted on July 25, 2019 by ddxdx

I understand what the proponents for “medical marijuana” are doing as they file their proposed initiative for medical marijuana in Idaho. They want to bring legitimacy to the demon herb. They want to normalize, medicalize, and eventually legalize a current … Continue reading →

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Blanche and Skip Discuss Health Insurance

Posted on July 17, 2019 by ddxdx

It was Wednesday and Blanche was already aching. Her back hurt when she bent down to put the roasts in the oven, her ankles and knees ached as she stood and chopped, her shoulders were sore when she reached up … Continue reading →

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Waiver Season

Posted on July 10, 2019 by ddxdx

It’s summer, so it’s time for wilderness hikes, river floats, stream fishing and reading Medicaid waiver applications. Many don’t believe it, but the Federal government is our partner in Medicaid. It is a Federal law, but states have a say. … Continue reading →

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The Work Before Us

Posted on July 4, 2019 by ddxdx

July 4th 2019 Twelve score and three years ago our fore fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all are created equal. I ask you to reflect today on … Continue reading →

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Critical Access

Posted on June 30, 2019 by ddxdx

Back before we got into a stalemate when talking about healthcare costs, long ago when I had good knees and my hair wasn’t grey, funding for small town hospitals was recognized as a problem. After Montana demonstrated they could support … Continue reading →

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Equitable assessment

Posted on June 20, 2019 by ddxdx

This week in Boise there will be an interim committee meeting on Monday. By the time you read this they will be back home, not done with their work, but maybe started. The title of the committee is the “Equitable … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading

Posted on June 6, 2019 by ddxdx

We’re short of the solstice, but with school getting out soon it’s time to start talking about summer reading. I’ve started early. With all the furor about the two-year-long Mueller investigation and his recent public statement where he said, “Read … Continue reading →

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More Can Be Less

Posted on May 29, 2019 by ddxdx

Consider these two facts: The United States spends more per capita on healthcare than any other nation. 2. The United States is the only developed country in the world where life expectancy has declined in recent years. How does one … Continue reading →

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Get Better

Posted on May 26, 2019 by ddxdx

Maybe you’ve heard the statistic quoted that Idaho is last (or near) among states in doctors per capita. If medicine was a simple business that ratio might mean the dearth of physicians would ensure doctors in Idaho are among the … Continue reading →

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Quit Griping; Get to Work

Posted on May 15, 2019 by ddxdx

The favorite pastime of the day seems to be railing against government. Isn’t that what these editorial pages are for? If you can’t find a good word to say about your government, then I think you ought to join it. … Continue reading →

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