Healthcare

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 928: MERIT-BASED HEALTH CARE – Adds to existing law to establish the Merit-Based Health Care Act.

This bill establishes the Merit-Based Health Care Act in Idaho, which requires health care providers participating in Medicaid to base employment and contracting decisions on individual merit and professional qualifications rather than ideological or discriminatory practices. The law specifically prohibits the use of state Medicaid funds to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, bias training, or other policies that consider race or sex in hiring, promotion, or compensation decisions. Providers must comply with these requirements as a condition of their Medicaid agreements, and violations can result in civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on the size of the organization and the number of violations. The bill also includes a limited private right of action allowing health care professionals to sue if they face retaliation for refusing to participate in prohibited DEI conduct.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts Medicaid funding for DEI initiatives and mandates merit-based hiring, limiting inclusive healthcare practices and diversity programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 950: APPROPRIATIONS – LEGISLATURE – Appropriates $200,000 to the Legislature for fiscal year 2026 for the Medicaid Review Panel.

This bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to the Idaho Legislature for fiscal year 2026 to support the operations of the Medicaid Review Panel. The funding covers operating expenses from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and includes authority to carry forward any unused funds for nonrecurring expenses in the following fiscal year. The legislation also declares an emergency to allow the appropriation to take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring the panel can continue its work without interruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $200,000 to fund Medicaid Review Panel operations, directly supporting public assistance and government program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $200,000 to fund Medicaid Review Panel operations, directly supporting healthcare oversight and public assistance programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1254: CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE ACT – Amends existing law to clarify the existing right of persons licensed to practice chiropractic to prescribe certain prescription drug products.

This bill clarifies that Idaho chiropractors with clinical nutrition certification may prescribe specific non-controlled medications, including certain vitamins (A, B complex, C), minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc), fluids (saline, dextrose), epinephrine, and oxygen for emergencies. It specifies these drugs must be obtained from licensed sources and administered via approved routes, while prohibiting chiropractors from compounding vitamins/minerals themselves. The law directly affects certified chiropractors in Idaho, allowing them to prescribe these items during practice without altering existing non-prescription supplement use. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing unanimously in the Idaho Senate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands chiropractor prescribing rights for non-controlled meds (vitamins, epinephrine), improving patient access to preventive/urgent care without physician referrals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1313: NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR LICENSING AND NATUROPATH REGISTRATION – Amends existing law to provide for the voluntary licensure of pharmacists as naturopathic doctors.

S 1313 creates a voluntary licensure pathway for pharmacists in Idaho to become naturopathic doctors by requiring them to complete a 160-credit-hour naturopathic program and pass a competency exam, while maintaining their existing pharmacy license. The bill amends Idaho Code to include pharmacists in the definition of "licensed naturopathic doctor" and updates committee structures to reflect this new option, including adding a pharmacist to the formulary committee. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates voluntary licensure pathway for pharmacists to become naturopathic doctors, expanding healthcare provider options and access to naturopathic services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 860: PARENT AND CHILD – Amends existing law to provide for parental rights in medical decisions.

This bill, known as the Idaho Parental Rights Act, establishes and protects parents' fundamental right to make medical decisions for their minor children. It requires health care providers and government entities to obtain parental consent before providing nonemergency medical services to children under 18, with limited exceptions for emergencies or when parents have given blanket written consent. The law also creates a legal mechanism allowing parents to sue state or local governments if their parental rights are violated, and if they win, they can recover attorney fees and costs. Additionally, the bill repeals previous laws that allowed minors to consent to certain medical treatments without parental permission and removes confidentiality protections that might prevent parents from accessing their children's medical information.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts healthcare provider autonomy and limits access to nonemergency medical services for minors without parental consent, imposing barriers to timely care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 648: INSURANCE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding coverage of anticancer medications under health benefit plans.

Idaho's H 648 requires health benefit plans covering FDA-approved anticancer medications to treat oral and injected drugs equally for cost-sharing (like copays and deductibles) starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects health insurance plans sold in Idaho that cover anticancer medications, ensuring patients pay the same out-of-pocket costs regardless of whether their medication is taken orally or administered via injection. The bill does not prevent insurers from using formularies, prior authorization, or other standard coverage controls. It specifically applies to medications approved by the FDA for cancer treatment, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026, for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal cost-sharing for oral/injected anticancer meds, improving patient access and reducing financial barriers to treatment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1335: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding contract requirements for state-supported medical and veterinary students.

This bill requires Idaho-resident students receiving state-funded medical or veterinary education to sign contracts committing to practice in Idaho for specific periods. Medical students must practice full-time in Idaho for four years after obtaining a license, finishing residency, or completing a fellowship. Veterinary students starting in fall 2027 must dedicate at least 600 annual hours to agricultural animal care (cattle, sheep, goats, swine) and complete a mixed practice program. Students who fail to meet these commitments must reimburse the state for their education costs over eight years without interest, with limited exceptions for hardship. A new reimbursement fund will manage these payments and distribute incentive grants to Idaho physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires state-funded medical/veterinary students to practice in Idaho, ensuring healthcare workforce retention and improving access to services in the state.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1294: INFANTS AND NEWBORNS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding hearing loss screening.

This bill requires all infants and newborns in Idaho to be screened for hearing loss before leaving a hospital, health care facility, or birthing facility. For births outside these settings, screening must occur within 21 days of birth. The screening must use approved methods (like otoacoustic emissions) and results must be reported to the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB) within seven days. The law is contingent on maintaining federal funding for these screenings, and would not take effect if federal support ends and state costs increase.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates universal newborn hearing screenings, enhancing early detection in public health programs, aligning with healthcare service expansion and patient access improvements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare