<\/p><\/div> Under a bill proposed by Gov. Brad Little, low-income residents receiving health coverage through the state’s Medicaid expansion would have to prove they work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month.<\/p>\n smiller@idahostatesman.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n A proposed law to add a three-month employment verification for low-income residents seeking health care coverage through Idaho\u2019s Medicaid expansion program sailed through the Senate on Tuesday to head to the governor\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n Nearly 80,000 Idahoans rely on the government-subsidized program for health insurance. But state lawmakers estimate a quarter to half of current enrollees \u2014 as many as 40,000 people \u2014 would be thrown off the Medicaid expansion under the requirements in House Bill 913 and forced to find coverage another way, or go without.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to make sure that somebody just doesn\u2019t go out and get a job two weeks or three weeks before they apply to qualify,\u201d bill sponsor Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, said on the Senate floor. \u201cWe want to be able to look back three months to make sure that they have been working or doing the activities that are required under this.\u201d<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n With a 29-6 vote, the bill split along party lines in the Senate. No Republicans voted against it. In the House, one GOP member joined Democrats in opposition when it passed earlier in March.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n Eligibility for the state\u2019s Medicaid expansion already maintains a yearly income cap for an individual at approximately $22,000. For a family of four, annual earnings can\u2019t exceed about $45,500, under the guidelines.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n If the new bill becomes law, to apply or keep health care coverage, a person must work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month, and have proof they\u2019ve done so for the prior three months. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which administers the Medicaid expansion, would be tasked with conducting the review of all of its recipients by the end of the year.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n After consecutive years of other legislation that sought an outright repeal of the Medicaid expansion over rising expense to taxpayers, the work requirements bill was branded a compromise to rein in costs. The federal government covers 90% of the program, and the state the remainder.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n Gov. Brad Little has previously said he would not support a full-blown repeal. Idaho voters approved the Medicaid expansion in 2018 through a ballot initiative.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n But opponents, including House Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, called the Legislature\u2019s action a \u201cbackdoor repeal.\u201d They also pointed to other states with a one-month requirement rather than the longer one permitted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n \u201cIf we really want to help working-class families, we would not do anything to risk folks coming off Medicaid expansion,\u201d Wintrow, D-Boise, said during floor debate. \u201cAnd I do think this is a backdoor way to try to repeal, because when you increase the red tape, the administrative burdens, it means that more people won\u2019t be able to apply or be on the program.\u201d<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n Immediately following Senate passage, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network called on Little to veto the bill.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n \u201cHB 913 will not reduce costs in a meaningful way and will make the program harder for the state to manage,\u201d Randy Johnson, the nonprofit\u2019s government relations director for Idaho, said in a statement. \u201cIt adds red tape that will strip eligible individuals of their coverage, and we\u2019ve seen firsthand how bureaucratic hurdles cause people to lose coverage \u2014 not because they are ineligible, but due to unnecessary administrative obstacles.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n \u201cMedicaid expansion is a lifeline for tens of thousands of Idahoans, and this legislation takes it away from many, which seems to be the unfortunate goal of this Legislature.\u201d<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n Earlier in the day, the House narrowly approved the state\u2019s overall Medicaid budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It previously passed the Senate, and now also goes to Little for consideration. Fiscal year 2026 totaled about $5.3 billion, while appropriations for 2027 were set at almost $5.5 billion.<\/p>\n [–><\/p>\n On average, the federal government pays roughly 70% of the total cost of the overarching Medicaid program in Idaho, which includes the expansion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kevin Fixler<\/p>\n <\/p>\n idaho politician<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n
\n Sarah A. Miller
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