This week’s legislative update delivers an overview of public health issues discussed during committee presentations, more information regarding PCAP, highlights from the Health and Welfare joint listening session, and bills of interest during the week.
Committee Presentations
On Monday Caroline Keegan and Megan Williams from the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics gave a presentation titled, “Annual Report and Summary of Work with the Idaho State Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP)” to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. The Committee also heard from Lance McCleve and Ryan Langrill from the Office of Performance Evaluations regarding the “Evaluation Report: Design of the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan”.
Tom Hanson and Kathie Garrett from the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Idaho, Ross Edmunds from the Department of Health and Welfare, and Dennis Boughman from Lifeways presented “Behavioral Health in Idaho” to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Dick Armstrong, presented the Department’s budget to the House Health and Welfare Committee.
Yvonne Ketchum from the Idaho Primary Care Association, Mike Baker from Heritage Health, and Heidi Traylor from Terry Reilly Health services presented “Idaho's Community Health Centers” to both the House and the Senate Health and Welfare Committees on Thursday.
Presentations are archived here
Primary Care Access Program Hearing
Governor Otter’s Primary Care Access Program (PCAP) received a hearing on Thursday in the House Health and Welfare Committee. Director Armstrong made the preliminary presentation of RS24492; as there was not yet a proposed piece of legislation. The House Health and Welfare Committee introduced the bill later that day and the bill was printed without discussion as a courtesy to the Governor.
Full bill text is now available here
PCAP in the News
SB1205 Provides Common Sense Medicine – Idaho Politics Weekly
IDAHO HEALTHCARE BUDGET PRESENTED – BYUI Scroll
Otter health plan no substitute for Medicaid expansion – Idaho Statesman
Joint Listening Session
The Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees came together on Friday morning to hold a joint listening session. The public was invited to come and speak about issues related to Idaho’s Health and Welfare system. Testimony was limited to three minutes to give plenty of folks the opportunity to have their voice heard. More than 30 people spoke during the hearing and at least 75 had signed up in hopes of testifying. In short summary: No one that testified wanted PCAP – it was said that the $30 million program will not provide enough value, there was an immense amount of support for expanding Medicaid – which was expressed through heartfelt stories, child foster care and adoption was brought up - a number of foster parents voiced their disappointment in both the process and outcome of custody and adoption, and mental health services were also discussed – mainly in connection to Medicaid expansion and the fact that chronic mental illness is prevalent in the “gap” population.
Betsy Russell provided live updates all morning:
- Crowd gathers for public hearing this morning in Lincoln Auditorium
- Testimony: 'I don't see the justice,' 'Access to health care,' 'Conditions are horrific'
- Testimony: ‘She needed coverage,’ ‘Please hear us,’ ‘The money goes to other states’
- Testimony: Medicaid expansion, mental health needs, foster care questions, reimbursements
- Testimony: Medicaid expansion, mental health needs, foster care questions, reimbursements
- Testimony: 'Close the gap,' 'Better off at home,' 'Penalty for parents'
- Testimony: ‘It’s heartbreaking - we need to make some changes’
- Hearing wraps up; Heider says message was ‘loud and clear’
Medicaid Expansion in the News
The Health Care Gap in Idaho – Idaho Public Radio
7 Investigates: How to get a healthier Idaho – KTVB
Bills/Rules of Note
If there are specific Bills or Rules that you would like Molly to track, please let her know. For full bill text and more information regarding bills this session, please go to the Idaho Legislature Bill Center
| Bill No |
Description |
Last Action |
| S1211 |
Catastrophic heath care program |
02/08/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Local Government |
| H0373 |
Legend drugs, clinic donat/dispense |
02/08/2016 Senate - Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare |
| S1264 |
Pharmacy, durable medical equipment |
02/08/2016 Senate - Reported Printed; referred to Commerce & Human Resources |
| H0453 |
Medical lab science practice act |
02/10/2016 House - Reported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare |
| H0374 |
Control subs prescription database |
02/10/2016 Senate - Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare |
| H0375 |
Health care task force |
02/10/2016 Senate - Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare |
| S1199 |
Approp, medical boards, add'l |
02/10/2016 Senate - Signed by Governor on 02/10/16 |
| H0482 |
Boards/qualifications/consumr membr |
02/12/2016 House - Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing |
| H0483 |
Pharmacy, communicatn, bio products |
02/12/2016 House - Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing |
| H0484 |
Primary care access program |
02/12/2016 House - Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing |
| S1201 |
Approp, catastrophic health, reduce |
02/12/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 15, 2016 |
| S1206 |
Approp, H&W indirect support, add'l |
02/12/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 15, 2016 |
| S1207 |
Approp, H&W psych hosp, add'l |
02/12/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 15, 2016 |
| S1216 |
Approp, blind com, add'l |
02/12/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 15, 2016 |
| S1322 |
Epinephrine auto-injectors |
02/12/2016 Senate - Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing |
| S1231 |
Chiropractic practic/prescrib drugs |
02/12/2016 Senate - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading |
| S1265 |
Insuranc premium tax/high risk pool |
02/12/2016 Senate - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
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