Category Archives: Policy

Creep Kills

Posted on March 25, 2018 by ddxdx

  Most people would agree we should try to prevent suicides. When I drafted a resolution in 2015 directing the Health Quality Planning Commission to make recommendations to the legislature for such, the resolution passed both legislative bodies unanimously. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Creep Kills

Where’s the leverage?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by ddxdx

  Idaho leaders are considering plans to carve up the health care market to save you money. You better be sure which side of the health and wealth teeter totter you fall on, because this could be great news for … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Where’s the leverage?

Health Care and Justice: No Slogans

Posted on October 24, 2017 by ddxdx

I want to applaud Director Cameron and former Director Armstrong for their creative and courageous work to bring down health care costs for all Idahoans and bring more of our neighbors out from under the threat of medical bankruptcy. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Health Care and Justice: No Slogans

Nobody Minding the Store

Posted on June 9, 2017 by ddxdx

Democrats are getting their hair on fire about all of Trumps executive orders. Well, I’m an Idaho Democrat so I’m concerned with Idaho’s Acting Governor’s executive orders. My hair isn’t burning, but I can see why the public isn’t paying … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Nobody Minding the Store

Abortion: Can We Please Talk about it? Please?

Posted on March 21, 2017 by ddxdx

I’ve seen this from so many sides. I’ve been yelled at as a politician, I’ve delivered babies as a doctor, and I’ve investigated deaths of infants as county coroner. But none of this makes my perspective more valid than yours. … Continue reading →

Posted in Policy, Reflection | Comments Off on Abortion: Can We Please Talk about it? Please?

Keep the Puppy

Posted on March 8, 2017 by ddxdx

The ObamaCare replacement plan the House Republicans are offering gets me off the hook for paying the penalty for being uninsured, but it’s like they want to give me a puppy. There’s a bigger obligation behind this little cute furry … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Policy | Comments Off on Keep the Puppy

Legislative End Run

Posted on February 12, 2017 by ddxdx

  Idaho voters thought it wise to place the legislative authority for administrative rule-making review into the Idaho Constitution this last November (HJR5). Now we are seeing the arrogance and hubris of the legislature in action. The recent rejection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Legislative End Run

Idaho’s Uncounted Deficits

Posted on February 11, 2017 by ddxdx

Idaho conservatives are proud that the state runs a balanced budget and doesn’t do deficit spending like “the Feds”. But I have long maintained we do sustain deficit spending in three areas, we just don’t put these figures on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy, Reflection | Comments Off on Idaho’s Uncounted Deficits

Crisis Centers: What are we measuring?

Posted on January 24, 2017 by ddxdx

Crisis Centers and Mental Health: What’s the Plan? : What are we counting? Idaho has many problems in our mental health system. I have always argued that access to community behavioral health care would save money from prison budgets. There … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Policy | Comments Off on Crisis Centers: What are we measuring?

Idaho Economic Development; The Back Story

Posted on January 10, 2017 by ddxdx

Senator Keough is right, small towns and rural counties in Idaho need help. Dialing in the details of the Tax Reimbursement Incentive (TRI) to suit smaller marketplaces is an appropriate move. This graph of labor force in the North Central region … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Idaho Economic Development; The Back Story