Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has directed the state Department of Insurance to use flexibility provided by the Trump administration to develop guidelines under which Idaho health-insurance carriers can offer coverage plans at significantly lower costs.
The governor on Friday signed an executive order instructing Insurance Director Dean Cameron to seek creative ways outside the parameters of the Affordable Care Act to make health coverage more affordable for Idaho residents.
In making his announcement, Otter pointed at the recent move by Congress and President Trump to eliminate the individual mandate requiring all Americans to buy ACA plans or face financial penalties.
Cameron said he hopes insurance plans from Idaho carriers can be available as early as March to reduce costs for essential health-care coverage by 30 to 50 percent.
Such plans would not qualify for an ACA subsidy on premium payments, but carriers involved must agree to continue offering plans through the Your Health Idaho insurance exchange, where federal subsidies will continue to be available. (Idaho Governor’s Office)
