BOISE (Feb. 12, 2025) — The Democratic Caucus issued the following statement after H138 passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today on an 8-7 vote, despite 265 Idahoans, including healthcare professionals and business leaders, signing up to testify against it.
“Don’t be fooled, H138 gambles with the health and lives of nearly 100,000 Idahoans. This bill would enact a full repeal of Medicaid expansion because its requirements for retention could never be met.
“This bill, like the other Republican-sponsored Medicaid repeal bill, H58, illustrates the total disconnect between the GOP supermajority politicians’ agenda and the actual wishes and needs of Idahoans. H138 may be in service to extremist ideology, but it does not benefit the people of Idaho, whose support for Medicaid Expansion has only grown since 2018. Polls show it is supported by 73% of voters, including 61% of registered Republicans. Medicaid has saved countless lives and has protected thousands of Idaho families from financial ruin and health disaster.
“Under the guise of ‘reform,’ H138 would end Medicaid coverage for those who desperately need it. It would cause thousands of jobs and over $1 billion of economic benefit to leave the state, shifting enormous costs to Idaho taxpayers, and forcing the closure of rural hospitals. Two-hundred sixty-five people signed up to oppose this bill with only eight supporting it, yet a majority of GOP committee members chose to squarely ignore the clear will of the people.
“This bill is another example of the hazards of one-party rule that prioritizes out-of-state interests over what’s working well for everyday Idahoans.”
H138 now goes to the House floor, and Democratic lawmakers encourage Idahoans to contact House leadership and their legislators to oppose the bill.
House Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel is available for interviews on this matter. Text her directly to set it up at (208) 866.4776.