Even after months of hearings, overwhelmingly positive public comments and stacks of statistics showing Idaho would save millions, some state lawmakers remain reluctant to accept federal Medicaid expansion funds to close the state’s health coverage gap. “I am not for Medicaid expansion,” said Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, as an interim legislative...
Sen. Maryanne Jordan, D-Boise, said her recommendation to the Legislature’s interim committee on Idaho’s health coverage gap is to endorse a straight Medicaid expansion. That, she said, would cover everyone in Idaho’s gap, and “take advantage of full federal matching rates.” She said, “I think…
Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, told the Legislature’s interim committee on the health coverage gap that he favors steps to “reduce medical costs for everyone, not just those in the gap.” He called for a limited, state-funded primary care access program for people with chronic illnesses,…
There was a really telling exchange this morning about Medicaid expansion between Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, who opposes expansion; Deborah Bachrach, a consultant to states and New York’s former Medicaid director; and Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, the co-chair of the Idaho Legislature’s interim committee on...
A Seattle non-profit that connects patients with medical specialists willing to provide care for free was the final presenter to the Idaho Legislature’s interim committee on the state’s health coverage gap this morning telling the panel that Project Access Northwest has served 34,000 patients in…
A family-practice doctor from Idaho Falls, Dr. Jim Brook, told the Legislature’s interim committee on the state’s health coverage gap that he’s closed the gap in his own practice – by following a unique business model, in which he doesn’t take any insurance, collects directly...
Consultant Deborah Bachrach said early results from states that have expanded their Medicaid program are showing significant results. “In the last 18 months, a lot of studies are coming out including one just last week out of the federal government on the economics,” she said.…
Deborah Bachrach, former Medicaid director for the state of New York and now a consultant to states on Medicaid expansion issues, is briefing lawmakers this morning on what other states are doing. Thirty-one have expanded Medicaid, with six of those seeking waivers for alternative approaches...
The Legislature’s interim committee on Idaho’s health care coverage gap has convened its meeting at the state Capitol this morning; you can listen live here. First up, staffer Elizabeth Bowen shared the 82 public comments received since the group’s last meeting. None opposed covering the…
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