Wrapup: 100s Decry Medicaid Cuts

Close to a thousand people flocked to Idaho’s state Capitol on Friday to plead with lawmakers not to cut services to disabled Idahoans, from their children to their clients to themselves. “I’ve been in two group homes and I know for a fact that it’s not very fun,” Jack Hansen of Boise, a young man with developmental disabilities, told lawmakers. “You guys are my only hope. … If you make these cuts, I swear you’ll be making a huge mistake.” Denise Wetzel of Coeur d’Alene, mother of a 10-year-old son with disabilities, said she’s grateful that the youngster has been able to attend his local public school and receive the developmental therapy that he needs/ Betsy Russell , SR. More here .

• JFAC co-chairs: ‘It’s extremely painful’
• Keough: ‘Everything has to be on the table,’ including online sales tax
• Medicaid providers, beneficiaries beg for not cuts, warn state of additional costs /IReporter
• Lawmakers look to curtail catastrophic health care fund /Brad Iverson-Long, IReporter

Question: How will the new format that allows public testimony affect the outcome of the Medicaid budget?