FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
Contact: Hillarie Hagen
208-918-9062: [email protected]
Idaho Advocates for Health Care Access Ask Legislature to Reject New Version of Medicaid Expansion Repeal
Boise, ID — The Idaho House Health & Welfare Committee introduced a new bill to repeal Medicaid this morning. This legislation puts repeal of Medicaid expansion on autopilot by making demands that require federal approval and implementation on a strict timeline. Failing that, Idaho’s Medicaid expansion would end under this bill by fall of 2026.
“This legislation sets a bomb to go off in a year and a half, blowing up health coverage for tens of thousands of Idahoans,” said Hillarie Hagen, senior policy associate with Idaho Voices for Children. “This bill takes lifesaving health coverage for tens of thousands of Idahoans hostage in a losing fight with federal bureaucrats. Even if the harmful provisions demanded by the bill could be legally implemented, those changes would push many of our friends and neighbors back into the health coverage gap.”
The bill calls for a slew of policy changes that cut people from eligibility and introduce red tape making it harder to apply and retain coverage. For example, an arbitrary cap on enrollment will cut people out of Medicaid who are otherwise eligible for health care. A lifetime limit of three years of Medicaid participation will likely impact Idahoans with the most complex health conditions and leave people without lifesaving health care when they need it. Another requirement eliminates coverage when Idahoans face a job loss or reduced hours, making it even harder to stay healthy and get back to work.
Other provisions in the bill make operating Medicaid less efficient. The bill senselessly outlaws prepopulated renewal forms that make it easier for the state to process paperwork. The new legislation is nearly identical to a bill that was voted down by the House Health & Welfare Committee last year, House Bill 419.
“The bill contains several demands that were previously denied under the Trump Administration. The ultimate consequence will be Idahoans losing their health insurance and being thrust back into the coverage gap,” continued Hagen. “We encourage the Idaho Legislature to stand with the 73% of Idahoans who support keeping Medicaid expansion whole. That way, Idahoans can enjoy the health benefits, taxpayer savings, and economic stimulus Medicaid expansion has been generating for years.”
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Idaho Supports Medicaid is a network of healthcare stakeholders, providers, community organizations, and individual advocates working to keep Medicaid strong so Idahoans can get the care they need for children to grow and develop, parents to participate in the workforce and provide for their families, and to promote healthy communities. Idaho Supports Medicaid is a project of Idaho Voices for Children.
