Legislative leaders back interim study on Medicaid expansion

House Speaker Scott Bedke, right, and Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, left, are addressing the Idaho Press Club today. Among the news so far: The leaders are looking at an interim committee to study options for Medicaid expansion in Idaho.

Hill said, “I think we’re going to be looking at some kind of working group or interim committee to look at alternatives for Medicaid expansion, so we’ll get here next year, we’ll at least know what our alternatives are and what the possibilities might be there.”

Bedke said lawmakers are trying “to neck down this legislative session,” saying “Our goal is still to be finished sine die by March 21.” As part of that effort, he said, most House committees will soon stop introducing new bills, with any needed new measures funneled through the Ways & Means Committee. “These are not hard and fast rules,” Bedke noted. But he said the March 21 goal is looking do-able. “At this point I don’t see any major reasons why that can’t happen.” He said, “I think that we’re on track to hit that.”