The man behind the Idaho Health Freedom Act, a controversial piece of law passed by the Idaho Legislature during its 2010 session, will be speaking in downtown Boise Wednesday. Those who cannot make it to the Old Spaghetti Factory in Boise to hear Clint Bolick speak still have a chance to participate, however. The Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), which is sponsoring the event, is making Bolick’s address available to interested parties throughout the state.
The event, slated for noon, will feature a discussion on recent federal health care reforms and how citizens and states can fight reforms. Bolick, employed by the Goldwater Institute in Arizona, is taking the lead in coordinating states’ efforts to sue the federal government. Idaho, thanks to the directives of the Idaho Health Freedom Act, is one of the 20 states that is suing the feds to protect citizens from being forced to purchase private health insurance, one of the mainstays of President Barack Obama’s efforts to bring down health insurance costs and ensure almost universal health care coverage. Opponents of the mandate argue that it is unconstitutional for the feds to require such activity, but those in favor of the measure believe it will be beneficial in preventing staggering increases in health care premiums in coming years.
Steve Owen, event coordinator for IFF, says that he expects about 40 people to show up at noon Wednesday. Those in other parts of the state who want to attend can contact Owen directly to find a meeting group in the nearest city. IFF is making the speech available in real time to watching parties in nine other cities, including Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello, Hayden, Sandpoint, Mountain Home, among others. Owen said it would be difficult to estimate how many people will attend in the other cities, but he believes that between 50 and 100 people will be watching Bolick speak remotely.
It is anticipated that Lt. Gov. Brad Little will appear at the event, but is not expected to speak to the crowd. To contact Owen for information about the event, call (208) 899-6460. The event costs $15 for those who can make it to Boise and lunch is included in the registration fee.
(Note: IdahoReporter.com is a product of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.)
