Legislative Update 1/26/2024 

• Governor Little joined 24 Republican governors in a statement of support for Texas Governor Abbott, the constitutional right to self-defense and securing the southern border. Read the Governors’ joint statement here.
• Idaho’s budget setting committee known as JFAC canceled its January 26th meeting as disagreements have surfaced overrule changes within the budget setting process. JFAC must first finalize a vote on change in state employee compensation before it reviews state agency budgets.
• Representative Redman introduced legislation, House Bill 419, that adds requirements to the Medicaid expansion program. If passed, the benchmarks must be met by July 1^st of 2025 for this program to continue in Idaho. These requirements include the following:
  • Existing federal funding remain at 90%, and individuals with adjusted gross income above 100% of the federal poverty level must have the option to take the advance premium tax credit and purchase a plan on the state health insurance exchange.
  • An enrollment cap that limits the program to cover either 50,000 people or the number of Idahoans over age 65 or with a disability that have regular Medicaid coverage, whichever is lower.
  • IDHW must maintain a Medicaid improper payment rate of 5% or less, implement a lifetime benefit limit of 36 months, suspend or limit several eligibility assumptions, and implement work requirements at 20 hours per week for able-bodied adults.

NEW LEGISLATION

HB 418 ASSISTANT PHYSICIANS AND GENERAL PRACTICE LICENSURE

This bill allows an assistant physician (formerly called a “bridge physician”) to become a licensed general practitioner without entering a residency program. A candidate may apply for an unrestricted license to practice as a general practitioner after completing a minimum of three years as an assistant physician and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Read the bill here. Status – Printed and referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee

HB 419 MEDICAID EXPANSION ELIGIBILITY AND FEDERAL WAIVERS

HB 419 seeks to move able-bodied Medicaid enrollees into private coverage by implementing work requirements and enrollment caps for able-bodied adults.  Additionally, the bill reduces the improper payment rate in Medicaid to 5 percent or less.  Read the bill here. Status – Printed and referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee

BILLS

HB 383 MEDICAL LIENS

This bill extends the time for filing a medical lien until after a citizen’s health insurance has had the chance to process the medical costs ensuring medical providers get paid a fair value for their services. Read the bill here. Status – Printed and referred to the House Business Committee

HB 396 MASK MANDATE PROHIBITION

This bill prevents the State of Idaho or any state officers from mandating the use of face masks, face shields or other face coverings as a means to prevent or slow the spread of an infectious disease. Read the bill here. Status – Printed and referred to House State Affairs Committee

HB 398 MEDICAID AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

HB 398 requires legislative approval of waivers and state plan amendments. This prohibits IDHW from seeking or implementing a Medicaid State Plan or a waiver without legislative approval provided in statute. Read the bill here. Status – Printed and referred to House Health and Welfare Committee

SB 1227 HEALTH MEDICAL RIGHTS

This bill restricts the state and local government’s authority on advertising certain types of medicines or vaccines.  The bill also creates additional requirements for informed consent and the use of experimental drugs.  Read the bill here.  Status – Printed and referred to State Affairs Committee

 LOOKING AHEAD

• Idaho’s medical residency programs present their budgets to JFAC on 1/30
• IDHW begins presenting its budget to JFAC starting on 2/13