Idaho Leadership Applauded for Supporting Military Families

State Resolution Supports Military Health Care

SAN DIEGO (April 27, 2006) —The leadership overseeing health care for military families in the West today applauded state public officials in Idaho for their actions in support of quality health care for military personnel, retirees and their families. On behalf of Idaho's military families, the TRICARE Regional Office-West and TriWest Healthcare Alliance welcomed recent actions by Gov. Kempthorne and the Idaho Legislature for encouraging and commending providers for participating in the TRICARE program.

Last month, the Idaho Legislature passed a resolution commending providers in the state for accepting the military's health care program, TRICARE, and for the spirit and good faith they have shown in supporting Idaho's military families whose service members are deployed around the world.

"Idaho's providers have shown tremendous dedication to serving National Guard and Reserve members and their families and, on behalf of these service members, I am happy to join the Idaho Legislature in thanking these providers for their service to our country's finest," said Rear Admiral Nancy Lescavage, Director of the TRICARE Regional Office-West, which serves Idaho.

"The Legislature's resolution supporting the TRICARE program in Idaho is particularly welcomed by TriWest and our network subcontractor, Regence BlueShield of Idaho," said TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre Jr. "We have worked extensively with Governor Kempthorne's office, Idaho's Congressional delegation and the Idaho Medical Association to build a robust TRICARE provider network and we are very proud that so many of them have answered the call."

Idaho is among the top three states gaining the most providers over the last year. The Idaho network increased 35.45 percent compared to a 20.29 percent increase in the provider networks across the west. Currently Idaho has more than 1,900 providers serving nearly 45,000 TRICARE beneficiaries.