Posted on 04/20/2011 3:28:05 PM PDT by RobinOfKingston
C.L. “Butch” Otter
GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jon Hanian
April 20, 2011 (208) 334-2100
11:028
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITS STATE AGENCIES FROM IMPLEMENTING OBAMACARE
(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter issued an executive order today imposing a State prohibition on receiving federal funding for or otherwise implementing the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – often called “Obamacare.”
Executive Order 2011-03 uses portions of House Bill 298, a so-called “nullification bill” that was approved by the Legislature this year. The executive order directs State agencies not to establish new programs, promulgate rules or accept federal funding to implement Obamacare. It also bars State agencies from assisting federal agencies in implementing the law.
A copy of the executive order can be found here.
“The Legislature clearly wanted to send a message to the national government this session, expressing its frustration with Obamacare. I agree with the message and know the debate about Obamacare would be vastly different, if not completely unnecessary, if the national government adhered to the Tenth Amendment,” Governor Otter wrote in a three-page letter to Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, explaining his veto of House Bill 298, which sought to entirely “nullify” the federal law’s application in Idaho.
“I also agree with the Legislature and the sponsors of this bill that now is not the time to implement Obamacare. However, it is equally unacceptable to forego exploring viable state solutions to our healthcare needs and allowing the national government to assert more control over Idahoans,” the Governor wrote. A copy of his letter can be found here.
While Executive Order 2011-03 bars State agencies from implementing Obamacare, it does allow the Idaho departments of Insurance and Health and Welfare to continue developing a State health insurance exchange. The Governor said that would prevent the federal government from controlling the state’s insurance market by administering an exchange of its own in Idaho.
“I had worked in the health insurance field for over 30 years and applaud the Governor for allowing Idaho to remain in control and giving our citizens the reins for our own solution to healthcare reform,” Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong said. “I am confident that Idaho’s expertise and can-do attitude will design an exchange that provides better access for families and employers, while also preserving the health insurance marketplace.”
Wayne Hoffman, executive director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation – which worked closely with legislative sponsors of House Bill 298 – said the executive order was a positive alternative.
“When we started the year, our No. 1 priority was to stop the operability of Obamacare in Idaho. The Governor’s executive order meets our objectives by using our language from House bills 117 and 298 to send a powerful message that the State of Idaho will not be a willing partner in the implementation of an unconstitutional federal law,” Hoffman said. “It is an important step in the right direction for Idaho and for freedom. We are grateful to the Governor for his action as well as the hard work of Senators Pearce, Fulcher, Vick and Nuxoll, and Representatives Barbieri and Boyle, on this issue.”
Senator Russ Fulcher of Meridian, one of the Senate cosponsors, also welcomed Governor Otter’s action.
“The intent of H298 was to lawfully discourage the implementation of Obamacare in Idaho,” he said. “To me it doesn’t matter if that happens through legislation or executive order. I am just thankful to have the Governor’s support on the issue.”
Otter do it! Git R Done!
It would be nice if 50 governors would take this stand.
The Civil War has begun.
Idaho: Home of Potatos and the 10th Amendment!
Good For you all. A governor with guts. Here in Missouri ours is a dem although moderate by today’s standards. We voted in august against Obamacare (71%) plus our A.G. (whose a dem btw) came out against it last week as well.
The way our reps & senators act in D.C. it’s never going to be repealed. Your Gov has laid out the blueprint on the only way to handle it and it has to be at the state level now.
Monitor land prices in Idaho now. ; )
I’ve always wanted to move to Idaho. Now I really want to.
“I’ve always wanted to move to Idaho. Now I really want to.”
Roger That! Stuck in northern NV...for now.. FUBO & FAD!
This makes things much more interesting. The theory of state nullification goes back on the front burner.
Too bad for the liberals that Joshua Chamberlain left the Northeast 100 years ago and he ain’t coming back.
Well, there’s always obuma’s Fat Welfare Momma brigade to restore order in the rebellious states. And if the mommas are too busy chugging down liters of Coke and munching on potato chips, there’s always the bed-wetting liberal college kids of whom, I’m sure, will find the time between toking joints and chugging pitchers of beer to pick up a rifle and pack and go die on a hilltop for the glory of obuma.
Severe shortage of spine and guts and no testosterone in DC within the GOP.
Looks like when it comes to healthcare, they want their own Private Idaho:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7t7cGwN7_0
Damn...Tennessee or Idaho? Tennessee or Idaho?
I think that we need to stop looking at DC for a fix to our problems. They are the ones who started the mess, Dems and GOP, and they are not willing of ending it. Good job, Idaho!
If Obama can use the “executive Orders”, so can the Governors...
Better yet, all 57 governors.
Looks like Otter will be the next one to get the “Joe the Plumber” treatment from the State-run, Lame Stream Media.
What’s the cost of living in Idaho...?
Idaho is a great place to live, but, like so many other locations, bring your job with you when you come.
It began Nov 3 2008.
It really gathered steam when the federal govt filed suit against Arizona.
This is one more battlefront.
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