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.
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.
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.
This bill creates a Medical Education Fund in Idaho to support state-funded medical students by requiring them to sign contracts committing to four years of full-time medical practice in the state after completing their education or residency. The fund will be financed through reimbursements from physicians who leave the state, a one percent tax on health insurance premiums starting in 2028, legislative appropriations, donations, and interest earned on fund investments. If a physician does not fulfill their service commitment, they must repay the state's financial support according to an amortized schedule over eight years, with provisions for suspending or waiving repayment in cases of hardship, disability, or military service. The bill applies to medical students enrolling in state-supported programs beginning fall 2023 and establishes an effective date of July 1, 2026.
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.
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.
H 724 establishes specific safety rights for children in Idaho foster care, including the right to a safe environment, freedom from abuse, timely medical assessments, and consideration of safety during placement changes. The bill requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to provide a written notice of these rights to each child at initial placement, placement changes, and annually, with foster homes required to post the notice. These rights must be addressed within existing court proceedings for foster care cases but do not create new legal claims or enforcement mechanisms. The law aims to ensure foster children’s safety through clear, accessible protections already integrated into current foster care processes.
H 591 repeals Idaho Code Section 31-3502, which previously defined eligibility criteria for financial assistance programs. This change directly affects individuals seeking state financial aid who would have been evaluated under the repealed law. The bill removes the existing eligibility rules but does not establish new requirements or programs. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, as declared an emergency.
Idaho's S 1331 reduces state funding for education programs in fiscal year 2026 by $22.3 million from the Public School Income Fund and transfers money to the General Fund. It directly affects public schools (teachers and student support), Idaho's universities (including Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho), community colleges, and education programs like medical residencies and career technical education. Key mechanisms include cutting specific budget line items (e.g., $5.4 million for Boise State University, $1.8 million for student administrators), reducing authorized staff positions, and reallocating funds. The bill declares an emergency to expedite these fiscal adjustments.
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.
