Idaho House candidate seeks help for families, education
By Shanon Quinn, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The only real difference between the two, he said, is party control.
"It seems like the party controls a Republican way too much, what they can say and when they can say it. That, I think, is the big difference. That and how they can vote," he said. "But some people might say that about a Democrat, too."
Osborn, who is running against Republican
He said the primary reasons he joined the legislative race are education and medical care.
Osborn, who served on Troy's school board for 10 years, said his passion lies with K-12 education, but is a supporter of higher education as well.
"I'm a huge believer in the
Osborn said he wants all
"We're not terrible about graduating our kids from high school," he said. "But we're not good at getting them to go on."
Osborn said the reason many
Osborn said 40 years ago, higher education institutions like the
"Now it's the other way around," he said. "It's getting very expensive."
Osborn said he knows people who chose not to obtain a university education in order to avoid being saddled with the debt involved.
"Really, it comes down to finances and it's going to take a lot of pieces to make that work," he said. "It's going to take some state pieces and it's going to take some federal pieces. I think it's going to take a lot."
The same is true of medical care -- which is often tied up with poverty issues.
Osborn said he is also seeking strong support for issues that concern
"If we can't get a livable wage for some families, we're in trouble," he said.
Osborn used the example of a young family without medical insurance whose young son breaks his arm.
"And now you've got a medical debt of, what,
Although residents without insurance cannot be denied medical care at the emergency room, Osborn argues that is the least effective and least efficient way to manage care.
And most expensive.
People who are unable to pay their medical expenses must appeal to the County Commissioners for assistance.
Osborn said
Osborn said 70 percent of personal bankruptcies are related to medical expenses.
"We're going to have to do something to break that cycle," he said.
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