Healthcare

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 3, 2026

H 806: PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the practice of physician assistants.

This bill updates Idaho laws governing physician assistants by clarifying their licensing requirements, practice settings, and collaborative obligations with physicians. It allows physician assistants to independently own medical practices if they maintain a written collaborative agreement with a licensed physician and have at least two years of licensure in another jurisdiction. The legislation also establishes a new physician assistant advisory committee to provide recommendations to the state medical board, while retaining the board's authority over final licensing decisions. Additionally, the bill expands provisions for health professionals requiring supervision and removes certain limitations on physician assistant practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands physician assistant practice autonomy and allows independent practice ownership, improving healthcare access and provider flexibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 920: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS – Relates to the appropriation to the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho for Health Education Programs for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $900,000 in state funding to the State Board of Education and the University of Idaho Board of Regents to support health education programs for fiscal year 2027. The money is designated for specific medical residency and fellowship programs, including positions for Eastern Idaho, Family Medicine, and University of Utah medical education. Additionally, the bill authorizes two and a half new full-time equivalent positions and directs that 15 new graduate medical education residencies and fellowships be funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program. If those specific funds become available, unused general fund money originally set aside for graduate programs will instead be used to create new undergraduate medical education seats. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and requires a compliance report to be submitted to the state legislature by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $900,000 in state funding for health education programs, directly supporting public health services and educational initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $900,000 in state funding for health education programs, medical residencies, and graduate medical education positions, directly supporting educational initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $900,000 for health education programs and creates new medical residency positions, directly increasing healthcare funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education Primary Care

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1446: APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare and the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates $30.7 million to the Department of Health and Welfare and $250,000 to the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027 to fund assertive community treatment and peer support services. The funding comes from multiple sources, including the State-Directed Opioid Settlement Fund, the Idaho Millennium Income Fund, and federal cooperative welfare funds. The bill also allows the Department of Health and Welfare to transfer money freely between programs to support these services and permits up to $5.8 million of opioid settlement funds to be used for individuals with substance use or mental health issues who do not have opioid use disorder. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and the bill was signed into law by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $30.7M for health services and $250K for judicial branch, directly funding essential public services and programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $30.7M to fund assertive community treatment and peer support services, directly strengthening healthcare access and mental health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 16, 2026

H 899: MEDICAL ADVANCED HEALING ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Medical Advanced Healing Act.

This bill establishes a pilot program in Idaho to explore the use of certain psychoactive substances, including psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine, for treating serious behavioral health conditions like PTSD, depression, and addiction. The program would be administered by the Department of Health and Welfare and is limited to eligible participants such as veterans, first responders, and Idaho residents aged 21 or older with qualifying conditions. Participation would be voluntary, and all medicine use must occur under strict medical supervision with comprehensive screening, safety protocols, and informed consent requirements. The program is designed to be revenue-neutral, primarily funded through program fees and donations rather than state tax dollars, and must collect data on safety and outcomes to inform future legislative decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes pilot program to explore psychoactive substances for treating serious behavioral health conditions, expanding mental health treatment options and supporting healthcare access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans as eligible participants in a pilot program for treating PTSD and other behavioral health conditions, expanding healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Mental Health

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signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 913: MEDICAID – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding Medicaid eligibility expansion.

This bill expands Medicaid eligibility in Idaho to include adults under 65 with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level who currently lack other coverage. It requires the state to submit necessary plan amendments to the federal government within 90 days and ensures eligibility is not delayed while waiting for federal approval. The legislation includes provisions to maintain federal funding levels and requires a review of the program if federal support decreases, while also mandating community engagement requirements by December 2026 before enrollment becomes effective.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid eligibility to more adults, increasing health coverage access and strengthening healthcare support for low-income populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 4, 2026

H 818: FERTILITY PRESERVATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding fertility preservation services.

This bill requires health insurance plans in Idaho to cover fertility preservation services for people facing medically necessary cancer treatments that could impair their fertility. It specifically applies to insurance companies, hospital service corporations, managed care organizations, fraternal benefit societies, and health exchanges that offer medical coverage for health conditions, accidents, or sickness. The law defines fertility preservation services as the collection and preservation of sperm, unfertilized eggs, and ovarian tissue, but excludes the storage of unfertilized genetic materials. Coverage is mandated only when the American Society of Clinical Oncology or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine indicates that a cancer treatment may cause impaired fertility, and the procedures must follow established medical practices or professional guidelines. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation services, expanding healthcare access and protecting patient rights for cancer patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · Idaho · House Mar 10, 2026

H 852: HOSPITALS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding continuing accountability for district-converted hospitals.

This bill requires nonprofit hospitals that received assets from public hospital districts in Idaho to maintain ongoing accountability and transparency. It mandates that these hospitals annually publish details about their membership structure, board selection methods, board member information, and any major transactions or potential mergers. The law allows the attorney general to take legal action if a hospital fails to meet these reporting requirements, ensuring public oversight continues even after the original hospital district is dissolved.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens hospital accountability and transparency, protecting public oversight of healthcare facilities and ensuring continued public trust in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1433: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – MEDICAID – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill appropriates specific funding amounts to Idaho's Medicaid program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, affecting the Department of Health and Welfare's Division of Medicaid. It allocates money from various state and federal funds to support different Medicaid plans, including Basic, Enhanced, Coordinated, and Expansion plans, as well as administrative costs and hospital assessments. The legislation also reduces certain appropriations from the Hospital Assessment Fund and other sources for these same programs during the covered periods. Once signed into law, the bill directs how these funds will be distributed and spent to cover Medicaid benefits and operational expenses for eligible Idaho residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funding for Medicaid program, directly supporting public health services and government spending on essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funding for Idaho's Medicaid program, expanding coverage and supporting healthcare services for fiscal years 2026-2027.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Hospitals Medicaid

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 9, 2026

H 844: HEALTH INSURANCE – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding enhanced short-term plans

This bill updates Idaho laws governing enhanced short-term health insurance plans, primarily affecting insurance carriers and individuals purchasing these temporary coverage options. It clarifies renewal rules by establishing that carriers must offer affected individuals the chance to reapply for coverage when enhanced short-term plans reach their renewal limits, while also requiring carriers to provide at least 180 days notice before nonrenewing all their individual market plans. The legislation sets a maximum total duration of 36 months for these plans and requires carriers to offer alternative health benefit plans on a guaranteed issue basis if they discontinue a specific enhanced short-term product after being in use for 36 months. Additionally, the bill prohibits carriers from writing new individual market business for five years if they choose to nonrenew all their individual market plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to health insurance by clarifying renewal rules and requiring carriers to offer reapplication opportunities, protecting patient access to coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Idaho · House Mar 3, 2026

H 807: MEDICAID – Adds to existing law to provide legislative approval for certain family personal care services.

This bill allows family members to provide personal care services to eligible Medicaid recipients in Idaho, subject to legislative approval. It authorizes the Department of Health and Welfare to seek federal permission for legally responsible individuals to deliver up to 25 hours of care per week, with oversight by the department. The law limits the total number of family caregivers to 1,000 at any time and ensures that individuals needing more than 25 hours of care can still receive additional support from non-family providers. The bill also directs the department to create rules for managing a wait list for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid by allowing family members to provide personal care services, increasing access to care and supporting home-based healthcare options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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