Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

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

Humbly Thankful

Posted on November 28, 2018 by ddxdx

The turkey and dressing leftovers may be gone but the time for thankfulness is not over. It’s a blessed day in Idaho when the sun sets westward and we draw comfort that it will rise again. Such blessings are symbolized … Continue reading →

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Rip off the Band-aid

Posted on November 26, 2018 by ddxdx

  I hear the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare wants to wait until January 2020 to start enrolling people in the newly expanded Medicaid eligibility passed under Proposition 2 this last election. I’m sorry, but this is a pressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Idaho Politics, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Rip off the Band-aid

Owning our Health

Posted on November 15, 2018 by ddxdx

The campaign to expand Medicaid health insurance eligibility in Idaho brought some broad health policy questions to the forefront. I am thankful we are having these discussions now; we have put this off for a long time. One of the … Continue reading →

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Hold on to the Reins

Posted on November 8, 2018 by ddxdx

  By the time this is printed the November 6th election will be over and half the electorate will think the world will end and the other half will think their prayers have been answered. And the half that didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Gazette Column, Idaho Politics | Comments Off on Hold on to the Reins

Rural Health Values

Posted on October 31, 2018 by ddxdx

Some are arguing that rural Idaho hospitals need Medicaid Expansion to survive. I’m arguing we will need more than a simple yes vote on Proposition 2 on the November ballot. That’s just an important first step. For American healthcare to … Continue reading →

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Backbone

Posted on October 29, 2018 by ddxdx

I watched Brad Little and Paulette Jordan debate on a Boise TV channel. You could catch it online. It was clear to me Brad knows healthcare issues, but I’m detecting some bad symptoms in his approach. It’s a big issue, … Continue reading →

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Appointments

Posted on October 16, 2018 by ddxdx

With the recent forced resignation of a Fish and Game Commissioner, it’s worth looking at the appointment power the governor has here in Idaho. The Idaho Senate confirms many gubernatorial appointments as required by law. Some appointments and the boards … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Appointments

Madam Lieutenant Governor

Posted on October 11, 2018 by ddxdx

For the life of me, I can’t figure why someone would work their tail off for nine months to get a part-time umpire job that makes you live in Boise. Because, besides the rare occurrence of filling in for the … Continue reading →

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How Do We Choose?

Posted on October 4, 2018 by ddxdx

  Idahoans have chosen Butch Otter to be governor for the last twelve years, despite not thinking too highly of him. A recent poll showed he had a “net approval” of +12 while the state had a “Republican partisan lean” … Continue reading →

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Generalizations

Posted on September 27, 2018 by ddxdx

We all know generalizations can be wrong, but we keep doing them, don’t we? I’m just going to address one today. I keep hearing the refrain that bleeding-heart liberals always expect the government to do things for them. Let me … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Policy | Comments Off on Generalizations