Todd Achilles | Achilles for Idaho
@achillesid.bsky.social
610 followers 350 following 390 posts
Independent Candidate for U.S. Senate | Public Policy Prof. | Proud Husband and Girldad | Army Vet 19k 🇺🇸
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achillesid.bsky.social
Instead, he's pointing fingers during a shutdown and calling us entitled for wanting affordable care. Senator Risch is out of touch, out of answers, and nowhere to be found.

#retirerisch #achillesforidaho #senrisch #idahopol #USSenate #healthcare #idahome #idaho
achillesid.bsky.social
Senator Risch voted to hike healthcare premiums and gave extended tax credits to billionaires but not Idahoans. Now we’re paying the price.

Is he taking on insurance monopolies? Investigating pharmacy middlemen? Protecting rural hospitals or Idaho families from rate hikes? NOPE.
achillesid.bsky.social
Sen. Jim Risch calls these life-saving credits a “de facto entitlement” and shrugs it off as a political ploy. That’s not leadership, it’s out-of-touch indifference.

Idaho deserves a senator who’ll fight for people, not lecture them.
achillesid.bsky.social
Bob McMichael, a retired Idaho teacher, will likely lose his health insurance as premiums for his family are set to jump from $50 to $2,200/month. This is just one devastating story of thousands that will come out of Idaho in the coming months.
The federal government shut down after a health care clash. In Idaho, the stakes are high. • Idaho Capital Sun
If enhanced premium tax credits end, 25,000 Idahoans are likely to cancel health insurance policies as their costs rise.
idahocapitalsun.com
achillesid.bsky.social
As of today, a 60-year-old couple in Coeur d'Alene earning $80,000 will see their monthly premiums explode from $552 to $2,238 in 2026.

That's $20,322 annually, a devastating 305% increase from this year. How does Sen. Risch sleep at night?
achillesid.bsky.social
We did the math, and Sen. Risch has officially sold out Idaho families for his billionaire friends. Senator Risch voted to drastically raise healthcare premiums for Idahoans.
achillesid.bsky.social
That means moving from an Obamacare system that subsidizes insurance companies (aka monopolies!) to a new system that pays hospitals and doctors appropriately, holds employers accountable, and incentivizes good health

Penalizing hardworking Idahoans stuck in our current system hurts everyone

3/3
achillesid.bsky.social
In 2025, they spent $10,067 but will spend $14,539 in 2026. That is 15% vs. 22% of annual income. That's a huge hit to their budget of $4,472 in 2026

Bottomline, we need to reform our healthcare system. We spend twice as much as other big countries but get worse outcomes.

2/3
achillesid.bsky.social
This is why the maintaining the health exchange subsidies is so important. A 50 y/o Idahoan on this Bronze plan is looking at NOT ONLY a 83% rate spike BUT ALSO a 28% deductible jump

Now, assume they maxed their yearly deductible...
1/3
charlesgaba.com
IDAHO's exchange has also launched 2026 window shopping.

Here's a 50-yr old adult in Boise, ID earning $65,000/yr:

2025: $297/mo (after $144/mo tax credit)

2026: $545/mo (no tax credits)

83% net rate hike.

And again, the deductible is $1,750 higher & out of pocket max is $3,100 higher.
BCBS ID Bronze HSA plan 2025: $297/mo BCBS ID Bronze HSA plan 2026: $545/mo
achillesid.bsky.social
Great story. This is why national service is so important. It brings us together and makes America stronger.
#Army

This Program Rescued Army Recruiting www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...
This Program Rescued Army Recruiting
www.nytimes.com
achillesid.bsky.social
Today, I filed a #HatchAct complaint against @forestservice.bsky.social Chief Tom Schultz for violating 5 U.S.C. § 7324, prohibition on political activities

We won’t tolerate partisan messages from USFS, which manages 40% of Idaho’s land for *all* Idahoans. Follow the Constitution.
achillesid.bsky.social
At least the Nat’l Park Service isn’t acting like a bunch of political hacks.
achillesid.bsky.social
Hey @usda - what is this crap?

We have 100 years of non-partisan forest stewardship for the good of all Americans. We expect it to stay that way.

Chief Schultz - you need to clean up this sh!t
achillesid.bsky.social
I won't accept that, and you shouldn't either. It's time to #RetireRisch
achillesid.bsky.social
Jim Risch had the chance to stop this, and I guarantee you that he's not worried about rent or his next meal. Jim also had no problem extending tax cuts and providing handouts for the ultra-rich, but he draws the line at extending affordable healthcare for 100,000 Idahoans.
achillesid.bsky.social
Unless Republicans and Democrats in Congress get their act together, your healthcare insurance premiums are set to double or even triple. Idahoans will soon lose coverage altogether or be forced to choose between paying for healthcare, covering rent, or putting food on the table.
achillesid.bsky.social
In Idaho, over 100,000 of our neighbors—families, seniors, people with disabilities—are staring down massive health insurance premium hikes.

Healthcare is already unaffordable. After tomorrow, it’ll be downright unconscionable.
achillesid.bsky.social
Things are not looking good. A gov shutdown is looming and congressional Rs and Ds are pointing fingers at each other while working Americans are left to pay the price.

The OBBB slashed ACA subsidies and enhanced tax credits — those cuts are about to hit home, hard.
achillesid.bsky.social
I’m deeply saddened by the senseless violence in Grand Blanc, MI. My thoughts go out to the victims, their families, the Grand Blanc community and my LDS friends.

Every person deserves to be and feel safe in their place of worship.
achillesid.bsky.social
Great read from HCN

Stopping Public Lands Pirate @SenMikeLee 🏴‍☠️ is half the fight

The other half is ensuring @forestservice & @BureauLandMgmt have the people and budgets to do their jobs

www.hcn.org/articles/tru...
The dismantling of the Forest Service - High Country News
The Trump administration’s plans would remake the agency and public lands. The deadline to comment is Sept. 30.
www.hcn.org