Reforms of the fast-growing Medicaid program won strong support from the state House on Tuesday, just after a budget was approved for the program for next year that counts on just a 7.8 percent increase – half of last year’s hike. “There is a tie between this and the Medicaid reform,” Rep. Kathy Skippen, R-Emmett, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. “I think a lot of people are working very hard to try to make the system provide for those who need it.”

The overall Medicaid reform bill, HB 776, passed 56-11 and now heads to the Senate. All North Idaho representatives voted in favor except Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol. The $357.1 million budget bill cleared JFAC unanimously.

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