Letters to the editor image — Idaho Press
Letters to the editor image — Idaho Press
SENATORS, PLEASE SUPPORT DIALYSIS BILL TO RESTORE PROTECTIONS
After 18 years on dialysis and nearly four years post-transplant, I have seen firsthand what happens when dialysis patients don’t have the insurance protections they need. As a longtime patient advocate, I’ve watched others struggle through a system that too often pulls the rug out from under people at their most vulnerable.
Historically, there’s been legal protections allowing dialysis patients to stay on their private insurance for 30 months before switching to Medicare. That protection was a lifeline. It gave patients a real window to stabilize, navigate their treatment, and potentially receive a transplant before being forced onto Medicare. Without it, patients and their dependents can face crushing costs, disrupted care, and an impossible financial burden all at the same time.
A recent Supreme Court ruling allows private insurers to push dialysis patients off their coverage before that 30-month period ends. However, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act would restore that vital protection.
That’s why I urge Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representative Russ Fulcher to support this bill. Dialysis patients deserve a fighting chance, not an insurance battle.
John Carter
Cladwell
LEGISLATIVE REPRIEVE FROM TARGETED LAWS IS WELCOME
The best day of the year in Idaho is when the know-it-all G.O.P. genius state legislators go home. Finally, nine months of freedom from state sponsored insanity. Legislators are elected to keep the rights, safety, and financial stability of the people intact. Not to give away hundreds of millions taxpayer dollars to people who don’t need the money and then make the middle class and lower income taxpayers responsible to balance the books through attrition. Not to spend 90% of their time drafting and passing laws that are targeted at specific people or groups just because you don’t like them. Isn’t that exactly the way autocratic dictatorships operate? It’s not the job or business of legislators to pass laws trying to force everyone to live and think their belief systems.
Just because I don’t live the life they think I should doesn’t mean I’m wrong or a bad person that needs to be punished. All officeholders took an oath to protect the constitution and the bill of rights of the United States of America. Obviously, the republican party members nationwide must have had their left- hand fingers crossed behind their backs. They must believe that the constitution and the bill of rights are only a recommendation, and not the law. I am a taxpayer, citizen, veteran, and love my country. I may agree with the G.O.P. legislature on some issues, but their methods of bullying, intimidating, violation of human rights, and complete disregard of human decency are disgusting, and wrong at every humane level. Basically, what this letter is trying to imply is that I don’t want to be like you, and if I was, I would be ashamed of myself.
Paul Schooley
Boise
THE PRIMARY ELECTION DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION
On May 19, 2026, Idaho voters will head to the polls for the primary election—an often-overlooked contest that plays a major role in determining who represents us.
In many Idaho districts, the primary effectively decides the outcome. The winner of the dominant party’s primary frequently goes on to win in November with little opposition. That means key decisions about leadership and policy are made well before the general election.
This makes turnout especially important. When participation is low, a small group of highly engaged voters ends up shaping decisions that affect everyone. Those decisions include property taxes, school funding, public safety, infrastructure, and how the state responds to rapid growth.
Communities like Nampa, Caldwell, and the broader Treasure Valley are experiencing rising housing costs, population growth, and increasing strain on roads, schools, and public services. The officials chosen in the primary will help decide how these challenges are addressed.
Low turnout can also mean that many voices—especially working families, young voters, and newer residents—are underrepresented. This creates a gap between the broader community and those making decisions.
Voting in the primary helps close that gap. It ensures leadership reflects a wider range of perspectives and reinforces accountability to all constituents.
Regardless of party affiliation, primary elections are where direction is set and candidates are chosen. On May 19, Idahoans have an opportunity to shape their communities in a meaningful way.
Democracy works best when participation starts early—not just in November, but in May.
Shaun M. Simmons
Nampa
CRAPO COLUMN ON TAX CUTS DIDN’T TELL FULL STORY
As I read Mike Crapo’s Guest Opinion in the Idaho Press 4/18/20 about the “Working Families Tax Cuts” I noticed a number of glaring omissions: 1) The tax cuts and benefits for those in the bottom 75% are temporary and will expire in 2 to 3 years; 2) The tax cuts and benefits for those in the top quintile are permanent and will only end with Congressional action; 3) Imbedded in this legislation are permanent cuts to SNAP and Medicaid; 4)“Expanding educational opportunities” really means subsidizing private education K-12 which inevitably hurts public education especially in rural America.
The ultimate end result of this legislation is a shift of income from the bottom 75% of the population to the top 25%. According to Penn Wharton’s Budget Model this legislation will result in: a minus $1300 of annual income for the lowest quintile; a minus $1500 annually for the 2nd quintile; a minus $100 for the middle quintile; a plus $2900 for the 4th quintile; a plus $5,000 for the top quintile and a plus annual income of $83,100 for the top 0.1%. This is a continuation of shifting the wealth of the nation from the bottom to the top.
Cheryl Morris
Parma
FULL INVESTIGATION OF PAYETTE RIVER INCIDENT NEEDED
I’m writing about the recent article about the stabbing incident at the Payette River that happened in August 2025.
It involved Boise Commissioner Darrell Lindstrom, his friends, a child and his sister. It is quite appalling at the very least. Not only for the violence itself but the Police Department’s response or lack thereof , but how it appears to have been handled. When anyone is involved in violent altercations, Police act quickly and decisively. Not in this case. The public is left with delays, and the unmistakable impression that accountability is not held to officials or their friends. Darrell Lindstrom and his friends behavior toward others was reckless and dangerous. When adults, under the influence , provoke a situation that turns violent enough that Abby and Treyson Beard were threatened with their lives, responsibility should have been clear, not blurred. Elected officials are not entitled to special treatment. If anything, they should be held to a higher standard. When serious allegations of violence are met with hesitation instead of transparency sends a clear and troubling message: that justice in Boise is not applied equally. The people of this community deserve more and especially Abby and Treyson Beard. They deserve more than silence, delay or carefully worded deflection. We all deserve a full independent investigation and clear accountability of what happened last year. This is unacceptable!
The suggestion that there may be personal or professional ties between those involved and the investigation authorities only deepened concern. The apparent favoritism is already damaging. If this was involving any other person, they would have been arrested there and then. All I see is our system in Idaho has failed us and power protects itself.
Carolyn McKinley
Homedale
Idaho Press
1618 N. Midland Blvd.
Nampa, ID 83651
Phone: 208-467-9251
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