BOISE -- The state of Idaho is once again telling the federal government it is not interested in participating in health care reform.
The state's latest move is over what's called a high risk health insurance pool.
The high risk health insurance pool was set up by the federal government.
It is designed to provide health insurance coverage to people who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions.
But the state of Idaho says taxpayers will end up footing most of the bill.
The high risk pool is one of the many components of the health reform law passed in March.
States had until the end of April to decide whether they would participate in the program.
But today, Gov. Butch Otter informed the federal government that Idaho will be opting out.
Bill Deal, Director of the Department of Insurance, says the major reason is because of funding.
He says the federal government is allocating $24 million to Idaho to support the program.
But Deal says that wouldn't be enough money and taxpayers would end up holding the bill.
"If there could have been assurances that if we ran out of the $24 million we could have maybe capped the population that could get in to the pool, or assurances that there would be additional funds available, I think there would have been a different decision but those assurances were not made," said Deal.
So what does this mean if you are uninsured and have a pre-existing condition?
Deal says you will still be covered, even though Idaho is opting out of the program.
He says the only difference will be the high risk health insurance pool will be operated by the federal government and not the state.
