To the Editor
Congratulations to the Prairie Pirate football team and coaches. You represented our school and community with class. Thanks also to the cheerleaders and band for your positive support. We are very proud of each and every one of you. A job well done!
Jerry and Janet Richardson

To the Editor
Editor’s note: The following was submitted to the Chronicle by Marge Arnzen.
Is the State Health Exchange really an “Idaho solution?” Supporters say it is, but judge for yourself:
 It’s Idaho based. No. Applications are done through federal software.
 It offers Idaho health plans. No: The benefits offered, coverages provided and certain changes to premium rates are based on federal rules.
 It’s Idaho pricing (promised $4.80 per member per month)? No: The user fee is 1.5 percent of the premium — wherever that premium ends up. That’s the same way the federal exchange prices — percentage of the premium.
There are Idaho cost controls. No: The cost estimate went from $20 to $70 million.
 Idaho’s budget is left alone. No: The State Health Exchange borrowed $375,000 from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. How many hours of state employee time (Department of Health and Welfare, Department of Insurance, governor’s office, etc.) are being used for the state health exchange?
 It provides Idaho oversight? Not really: The health exchange law allows it to award contracts — even to former state health exchange board members — without a competitive bid. Legislature cannot do a thing about it.
 It is Idaho transparent. Questionable: Until a couple of days ago, an individual had to complete an application (giving up personal financial information) before they could even browse a health plan.
Thank you.
STEPHEN M. ACKERMAN
Kuna 

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