This bill appropriates $35.6 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while simultaneously reducing funding for laboratory services and health care policy initiatives. It also decreases the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions by three and mandates several reports on program outcomes, vaccine utilization, and immigration status for HIV prevention services. Although the bill was signed by the President, the Governor exercised a line-item veto on the section reducing funds for the Health Care Policy Initiatives Program.
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.
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.
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.
This bill appropriates $35.7 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while reducing the budget for laboratory services by $78,400 and cutting three full-time equivalent positions. The funding covers physical health services, immunization programs, and disease prevention efforts including suicide prevention, HIV surveillance, and hepatitis monitoring. The legislation requires the department to submit annual reports by December 31, 2026, detailing outcomes and return on investment for these programs. The bill also mandates a specific report on vaccine utilization rates and cost savings from the Immunization Assessment Fund.
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.
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.
