Cheers & Jeers: Patients first

THE LEWISTON TRIBUNE —

CHEERS … to state Rep. Thyra Stevenson, R-Nezperce.

On Wednesday, Stevenson joined a majority of House Business Committee members who backed a bill that requires health care providers to meet billing deadlines. It delays imposition of interest and collection services. And it limits how much lawyers can earn while processing debts.

Backed by Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot of Idaho Falls, the measure is an apt response to a business model practiced by two prominent Idaho Republicans — GOP Second Vice Chairman Bryan Smith of Idaho Falls and his legal associate, state Rep. Bryan Zollinger, R-Idaho Falls. As documented by East Idaho News, an internet news site VanderSloot founded, their company, Medical Recovery Services, attaches substantial legal fees to relatively small unpaid bills.

Read the full story on The Lewiston Tribune.