Idahoan will Pay Fine Rather Than Buy Insurance

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho foe of President Obama's health care overhaul said he'll be one of an estimated 6 million Americans who pay fines, rather than buy insurance required starting in 2014. Idaho Freedom Foundation director Wayne Hoffman is also urging his employees not to buy insurance via the Idaho insurance exchange. That's the Internet marketplace for health care coverage slated to begin enrolling people for federally-subsidized plans starting Tuesday. Hoffman, who earns nearly $100,000 annually, likely wouldn't be eligible for income-based subsidies. But his six employees that make up his $154,000 annual payroll may qualify. During the 2013 Legislature, Hoffman's group sought unsuccessfully to convince Idaho lawmakers to reject adopting a state-based insurance exchange, arguing, among other things, that it would expand the size of government and bloat the national debt.