Conservative Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) filed paperwork to run for governor of Idaho Tuesday, releasing a short statement that appeared to preface a formal announcement of his 2018 candidacy.
“Idaho needs a proven conservative leader who will stand against the special interests and politicians that have picked the winners and losers in our state Capitol for too long,” he said in a statement published by the Spokesman-Review. “Idaho needs a strong leader who will make government fair for everyone. Idaho needs a governor who will provide a new vision, a new approach and new leadership.”
Labrador was at the blunt end of an angry town hall on Friday after he said that “nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.”
He was responding to a constituent who asked him about the proposed $880 billion cut to Medicaid in Republicans health bill, the most recent version of which Labrador supported in the House of Representatives.
Labrador later said in a statement that “I was trying to explain that all hospitals are required by law to treat patients in need of emergency care regardless of their ability to pay and that the Republican plan does not change that.”
That’s true. However, individuals without insurance often end up in the emergency room after not receiving care in more favorable settings.
Politifact responded to Labrador’s claim with an extensive list of academic studies on the inverse relationship between securing health insurance and mortality.
Lots of luck with that, Mr. “No one dies because they lack health care” Labrador!!
The one good thing that has come out of the GOP “total triumph” is how it’s motivated people all over the world to elect liberal, secular leaders. (Even Theresa May would be almost a Democrat over here).
You’re running for Governor and you think nobody dies from lack of health care?
I didn’t think the Dems had a big shot at winning Idaho before, but things are looking up. Thank you.
“Idaho needs a strong leader who will make government fair for everyone.”
Unless you have a pre-existing condition…
I hope Idahoans have a sense of ironic humor and can laugh at the timing
Well, at the very least it forces the GOP to throw a little money into two races that would otherwise be freebies.