Healthcare

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 787: PODIATRY – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the Podiatric Medical Practice Act.

This Idaho bill (H 787) establishes a new licensing framework for podiatrists by creating Chapter 6 of Title 54 in the Idaho Code. It requires all podiatrists to hold a state license, mandating completion of a U.S./Canadian podiatry school, a 24-month residency (with 12 surgical months), passing national exams, and background checks. Practicing without a license becomes a felony, and the State Board of Medicine gains authority to oversee licensing, discipline violations (like criminal convictions or fraud), and enforce continuing education requirements (30 hours every two years). The law directly affects podiatrists seeking to practice in Idaho and ensures standardized qualifications for foot and leg care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for podiatrists, ensuring qualified providers and patient safety under healthcare regulations.95% confidence

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1253: RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION – Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and the Rural Health Transformation Committee.

S 1253 establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund in the state treasury, funded by federal grants and potential legislative appropriations, to support federally approved rural health programs. It also creates a Rural Health Transformation Committee with six members (two from each legislative chamber and two nonvoting appointees by the governor) to oversee fund distribution. The committee must set funding rules by specific deadlines, require sustainability plans for funded projects, and receive quarterly progress reports from the Department of Health and Welfare. All fund expenditures must align with Idaho's federally approved rural health plan and be subject to annual public reporting. This bill directly affects rural health initiatives and providers receiving state funds under the federal program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund requiring legislative appropriations to fund rural health programs, advancing public service funding through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund to support rural health programs via federal grants and legislative appropriations, requiring sustainability plans for funded projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 17, 2026

S 1312: MEDICAID – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding provider payment.

S 1312 revises Idaho's Medicaid payment rules for healthcare providers, directly affecting hospitals, mental health facilities, and home care services. It sets payment rates at 100% of Medicare for primary care and 90% for other services where Medicare equivalents exist, while requiring annual cost surveys (with 15% audits) for services without Medicare rates. The bill mandates providers to allocate funds to staff wages and employee costs, reduces general fund needs by $3.1 million in FY2020 and $8.72 million in FY2021, and transitions most hospitals to value-based payment systems by July 2021. It also nullifies specific administrative rules (IDAPA 16.03.26) after July 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces general fund needs by $3.1M through revised Medicaid payment rates, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill sets Medicaid payment rates at 100% of Medicare for primary care, strengthening provider funding and access while requiring cost efficiency measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Long-Term Care Medicaid Primary Care

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passed both · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

HJM 16: MEDICARE – States findings of the Legislature, supports certain Department of Insurance efforts, and requests federal guidance.

HJM 16 is a procedural resolution (not a bill) passed by the Idaho Legislature. It formally supports the Idaho Department of Insurance's efforts to protect Medicare beneficiaries and requests federal guidance from CMS on two specific issues: maintaining stable Medicare Advantage plan availability and clarifying how changes to insurance producer compensation affect consumer access. The resolution aims to prevent disruptions like sudden plan withdrawals or steering practices that limit beneficiary choice during enrollment periods. It directly affects Idaho Medicare beneficiaries and insurance companies operating in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSupports Medicare beneficiary protection by maintaining plan availability and preventing access restrictions through insurance regulation clarification.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 24, 2026

H 753: ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT – Adds to existing law to provide legislative approval for and to establish provisions regarding assertive community treatment.

Idaho's H 753 establishes a framework for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs to provide intensive, community-based mental health support. It directly affects individuals with serious mental illness who have experienced frequent hospitalizations, crisis services, or failed to benefit from standard outpatient care. The bill defines ACT as 24/7 multidisciplinary teams delivering comprehensive services in community settings, requiring specific staff composition (including clinicians, peer specialists, and substance use counselors). It mandates the Department of Health and Welfare to seek federal Medicaid approval by March 2026 to implement these programs, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and support community living. The law sets eligibility criteria based on medical need, functional impairment, and documented service failures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes ACT framework for community mental health services, requiring multidisciplinary teams to improve access for serious mental illness patients previously failing standard care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 6, 2026

H 595: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding cardiac emergency response plans.

Idaho's H 595 requires all public schools and charter schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2026-2027 school year. These plans must ensure AEDs are accessible within three minutes of a cardiac arrest, include staff training in CPR/AED use following American Heart Association guidelines, and integrate with existing emergency policies. Schools with athletic programs must also maintain AEDs at all sports venues and require coaches to be certified in CPR/AED use. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and provides legal immunity for those following its requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school safety protocols (AED access, staff training) to protect students/staff, enhancing educational environment and school infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AED access, CPR training, and emergency plans in schools per health guidelines, directly advancing public health safety protocols under HEALTH subject.90% confidence

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signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1316: HEALTH AND SAFETY – Amends existing law to revise provisions for exemptions for certain tests for infants and newborns.

This bill expands exemptions for newborn health screenings in Idaho. It allows parents or guardians to opt out based on religious, philosophical, or conscientious beliefs (previously only religious objections were permitted), or by providing a physician's certification that screenings would endanger the child's health. The change directly affects parents seeking exemptions for infants' required screenings under current law. It takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing unanimously in the Idaho Senate.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExpands exemptions for newborn screenings beyond religious objections, reducing mandatory health checks and limiting public health program compliance for infants.90% confidence

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 788: MEDICAID – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding Medicaid prior authorization exemptions for certain preceptorships.

This bill creates a Medicaid exemption from prior approval requirements for healthcare providers who mentor medical students. Practitioners in family medicine, psychiatry, or OB/GYN qualify if they provide 360+ hours of preceptorship (with 60% in rural/underserved areas) to graduate students at Idaho institutions. Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare verifies hours and grants a 12-month exemption starting the next calendar year. The exemption is limited to 100 providers per specialty annually and may be revoked if claims fail risk-based quality reviews.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid exemption for preceptorship mentors, reducing administrative barriers to train medical providers in underserved areas, improving healthcare access and workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care

passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1264: RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION – Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and the Rural Health Transformation Committee.

This bill establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund to hold federal and state funds for rural health programs, and creates a committee to oversee the fund's allocation. The committee - composed of seven members (three from the Senate, three from the House, and one governor-appointed nonvoting member) - will set funding rules, review projects, require sustainability plans, and provide quarterly reports on fund usage. Funds must be used solely for federally approved rural health initiatives, with annual public financial reporting mandated. The committee will operate until all funds are expended.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund with state/federal funds to improve rural health access, requiring sustainability plans and oversight for approved initiatives.95% confidence

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 3, 2026

H 574: MEDICAL MANDATES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding medical mandates.

H 574 repeals Idaho's existing immunization laws and establishes new rules to prevent local governments and schools from requiring medical interventions like vaccines. It prohibits political subdivisions (counties, cities) and schools from mandating medical procedures or restricting access to facilities based on a person's refusal of such interventions. The bill also creates a voluntary immunization registry managed by the Department of Health, allowing parents to opt out of participation and providing access to their child's immunization records without requiring mandates. These changes directly affect schools, daycare centers, and parents making healthcare decisions for their children.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals vaccine mandates, prohibiting schools/local governments from requiring immunizations, restricting public health measures under healthcare policy.95% confidence

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