Today, Idaho House and Senate Democrats announced a public forum and town halls to hear directly from Idahoans impacted by Medicaid cuts and deeper reductions now being proposed.
Senate Democratic Leaders sent a letter to Republican legislative leadership earlier this week requesting public hearings to take testimony before Medicaid services are reduced. Republican leaders denied the request, spurring Democratic leaders to create venues for citizen input.
In August, Gov. Brad Little ordered 3% holdbacks across state agencies following projected budget shortfalls. Medicaid was hit with an ongoing 4% provider rate cut, reducing what Medicaid pays providers across the system. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has also implemented service limits, including a cap on occupational, physical, and speech therapy visits.
Health care providers and law enforcement have raised concerns about the current reductions tied to Medicaid-funded behavioral health supports and increased pressure on crisis response, emergency rooms, and county jails. The Governor’s budget proposes $45 million more in Medicaid cuts, including making the 4% provider rate reduction ongoing and adding $22 million in additional service reductions, with disability services and adult dental coverage among the areas targeted.
To ensure Idahoans are being heard — regardless of where they live or who they voted for — Idaho House and Senate Democrats will hold in-person events to gather testimony from parents, seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, and providers, and to put those stories on the record in the absence of official committee hearings.
Public Forum
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- Wednesday, February 4, 4:00–7:00 p.m., Lincoln Auditorium, Idaho State Capitol
Town Halls
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- Pocatello — Saturday, February 7, hosted by Sen. James Ruchti
- Hailey — Friday, February 13, hosted by Sen. Ron Taylor
- Moscow — Saturday, February 14, hosted by Rep. Megan Egbert
Idaho Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow issued the following statement:
“Idahoans deserve to be heard before their health care is taken away. Republicans are moving forward with Medicaid cuts while refusing to hold public hearings for the people who will live with the consequences. We requested public hearings so families, seniors, people with disabilities, and providers could testify, but Republican leaders said no. Medicaid is so much more than a line item. It’s a child getting therapy, a senior staying in their home, and a person getting mental health care before a crisis. The legislature should be using some of the state’s $1.4 billion dollar reserves instead of cutting services that people depend on. If Republican leaders won’t provide a public hearing, we will.”
Idaho House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel issued the following statement:
“This is a question of values and priorities. Republican leaders chose costly tax giveaways that favored the wealthiest, then turned around and cut health care for everyone else. Now, families are facing fewer therapy visits for their kids with disabilities, fewer providers, and loss of critical care. If politicians are going to take away someone’s health care, they should at least be willing to look Idahoans in the eye and hear what these cuts are doing to them. We can’t force our Republican colleagues to hold hearings, but we can show up and listen. These town halls are about transparency and accountability to the Idaho families we serve.”
More details on times, locations, and how to participate will be available soon.
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