Healthcare

in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1367: PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding dispensing fees and to establish duties and restrictions pertaining to pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers.

This bill establishes minimum reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies in Idaho by requiring plan sponsors, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party payers to pay at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a minimum professional dispensing fee of $12.35, which will increase annually based on inflation. The law defines key terms related to pharmacy reimbursement and mandates that pharmacy benefit managers register with the Idaho Department of Insurance and prohibits certain pricing practices like spread pricing. Additionally, the bill requires the state insurance department to issue guidance to payers and mandates that any underpayments to pharmacies be corrected retroactively from the effective date of the law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes minimum reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies, protecting pharmacy access and ensuring fair compensation for dispensing fees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 32: RULE APPROVAL – HOUSE BUSINESS COMMITTEE – States findings of the House of Representatives and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho Department of Insurance and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses have been reviewed and approved by the House Business Committee, with exceptions.

This bill formally approves most temporary and pending rules from the Idaho Department of Insurance and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for the 2026 legislative session. The House Business Committee reviewed these rules and approved them with one exception: the Building Safety rules (IDAPA 24.39.30) were not approved. Additionally, the bill allows one specific pending rule regarding short-term health insurance coverage to become effective at the end of the legislative session. This procedural measure streamlines the legislative review process for administrative rules without changing the actual content of the regulations themselves.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill approves insurance and professional licensing rules, including short-term health insurance coverage, which supports healthcare access and regulation.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 942: APPROPRIATIONS – MILLENNIUM INCOME FUND – Relates to the appropriation from the Idaho Millennium Income Fund for fiscal year 2027.

This bill directs Idaho state funding from the Millennium Income Fund for fiscal year 2027 toward substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, with a specific focus on youth under 18 and high-risk adults. It appropriates $150,000 to support community-based recovery centers in several cities, defining these centers as nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost recovery services at least 25 hours per week. The legislation also clarifies that Millennium Fund money cannot be used for Medicaid claims and establishes oversight requirements, including quarterly funding distributions and mandatory reporting to ensure funds are used properly. Additionally, the bill provides extra funding to various state agencies for children's trust programs, drug policy initiatives, and youth assessment centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $150,000 from state funds to support substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, directly funding essential public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $150,000 from state funds to substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, specifically supporting community-based recovery centers for youth and high-risk adults.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Substance Abuse

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 929: HEALTH CARE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding certain out-of-pocket payments for health care services.

This Idaho bill requires health insurance companies to allow patients to pay discounted cash prices for covered medical services directly to providers. When patients pay these negotiated lower prices out of pocket, the amounts count toward their insurance deductibles and annual out-of-pocket limits, provided they submit proof to their insurer. The law applies to most health plans but excludes specific types like Medicaid, Medicare supplements, dental, vision, and short-term insurance. It also ensures providers accept the cash payment as full payment and cannot bill patients or insurers for additional amounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access by allowing discounted cash payments that count toward deductibles, strengthening healthcare affordability and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 945: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MEDICAL SERVICES – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding artifical intelligence medical services.

This bill establishes a new regulatory framework in Idaho for artificial intelligence systems that perform clinical medical services, creating a new class of licensed healthcare providers called AI-augmented and autonomous service providers. The legislation creates a new Board of Autonomous Medical Practice to oversee licensing, define different levels of AI autonomy, and ensure patient safety through transparency, clinical integrity, and ethical oversight requirements. Key provisions include a regulatory sandbox for testing AI systems, liability protections for providers, and state funding mechanisms while maintaining compliance with federal privacy laws like HIPAA. The bill aims to address healthcare provider shortages by creating a clear licensure pathway for AI-driven clinical services without expanding the scope of practice for existing human healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regulatory framework for AI medical services, creating new provider class and oversight board to ensure patient safety and clinical integrity in healthcare.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory framework for AI medical services, establishing oversight and safety standards that protect consumers while advancing AI technology integration in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1429: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill appropriates and adjusts funding for Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare's behavioral health services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly affecting substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and psychiatric hospitalization programs. It allocates specific amounts from various state funds to personnel, operating expenses, and capital outlays for children's mental health, adult mental health, and state psychiatric hospitals, while also reducing certain appropriations from other designated funds. The legislation authorizes 15 additional full-time equivalent positions for the Division of Mental Health Services and allows those divisions to transfer money for personnel and benefit payments. Additionally, it requires the Department to submit a report on Idaho Behavioral Health Plan expenditures by December 1, 2026, and declares an emergency to make the funding changes effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates and adjusts funding for behavioral health services, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates and adjusts funding for behavioral health services, directly increasing financial resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 11, 2026

H 841: INSURANCE – Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Prior Authorization Reform Act.

This bill, known as the Idaho Prior Authorization Reform Act, establishes new rules for health insurance companies to streamline the process of approving medical treatments before they are provided. It directly affects health insurance issuers, health care providers, and patients by requiring insurers to create a standardized electronic system for submitting prior authorization requests and limiting how long approvals can take. The legislation ensures that requests are denied only when there is clear evidence that a service is not medically necessary, mandates faster review times for urgent cases, and gives providers the right to appeal adverse decisions. Additionally, the bill exempts certain low-cost services from prior authorization requirements and prohibits insurers from interfering with the doctor-patient relationship by restricting independent medical judgment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines prior authorization processes, improving patient access to medical treatments and reducing administrative barriers for healthcare providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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failed · Idaho · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1375: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Relates to the maintenance appropriations to the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates state funding to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027, covering programs like Medicaid, child welfare, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. It establishes specific budget allocations for various divisions including youth safety, early learning, family partnerships, and benefit payments, while also setting limits on the number of authorized full-time positions. The legislation includes requirements for program integrity, monthly Medicaid tracking reports, and specific fund transfers to support initiatives such as rural physician incentives and smoking cessation programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funding for health and welfare programs, strengthening budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates state funding for health and human services, including Medicaid, mental health, and substance abuse treatment programs, directly supporting healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Idaho · House Mar 19, 2026

H 916: RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION – Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and the Rural Health Transformation Committee.

This bill creates the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and establishes a Rural Health Transformation Committee to manage federal grant money for rural health initiatives. The fund will receive money from federal grants and can only be used for purposes approved by the federal government, with all spending subject to annual public reporting. The nine-member committee includes legislative members from both chambers and a nonvoting member from the governor's office, and it will oversee how funds are distributed, evaluate program success, and ensure sustainability plans are in place for funded projects. The committee must report quarterly progress updates to the Department of Health and Welfare and can recommend fund usage to the legislature within federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a fund and committee to manage federal grants for rural health initiatives, expanding access and funding for rural healthcare services.85% confidence

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 1425: WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to revise the definition of “first responder” as it relates to psychological accidents and injuries.

This bill expands worker's compensation protections for first responders by creating a specific exception for psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, which are generally not covered unless accompanied by physical injury. It defines first responders to include peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, emergency communications officers, and coroners, allowing them to receive benefits for mental health conditions caused by workplace events. The law requires that psychological injuries be diagnosed by licensed mental health professionals and supported by clear and convincing evidence that the condition resulted from a sudden, extraordinary workplace event. The changes apply to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2019, and the bill becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands worker's compensation to cover psychological injuries for first responders, strengthening mental health protections and access to care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands worker's compensation protections for first responders by including psychological injuries, strengthening workplace benefits and protecting workers' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Workers' Compensation Tags Public Safety

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