by Steven Thayn | 26 Sep 2016 | Blog, Uncategorized
The Idaho legislature will decide in the 2017 legislative whether to expand traditional Medicaid or create an Idaho alternative to provide medical care to adults under 100% of the federal poverty level. The purpose of this paper is to explain the disadvantages of the...
by Steven Thayn | 28 Mar 2016 | At the Capitol, Blog
I have received many inquiries concerning the Medicaid Gap population and asking to expand Medicaid. This is my take on basic issues. Medical costs have gone from 4 percent of the GDP in 1964 before Medicaid and Medicare began to 18 percent of the GDP today....
by Steven Thayn | 8 Mar 2016 | At the Capitol, Blog
I have been vocal about my opposition to Medicaid expansion. First, I would like to share five simple reasons why I have come to this conclusion and, second, what I do support and why. Medicaid has the wrong focus. It pays for expensive hospital care while largely...
by Steven Thayn | 3 Mar 2016 | At the Capitol, Blog
I have received several emails wanting to increase the minimum wage. I understand the desire to improve the lives of those in poverty; however, in my opinion, increasing the minimum wage will do more harm than good. Increasing the minimum wage is based on the...
by Steven Thayn | 11 Feb 2016 | At the Capitol, Blog
It is time to rethink poverty programs that focus on the whole individual rather than simply meeting immediate needs created by scarcity (poverty). I recently came across an interesting study about childhood poverty from the UK written by Frank Field who was...
by Steven Thayn | 8 Feb 2016 | At the Capitol, Blog
A short note to those opposed to Common Core. The Idaho House and Senate Education Committees rejected the next generation science standards. These standards will be reviewed again this next year with more input from the public. It is my hope that students are...