Tag Archives: Medicaid
State likely to hit $34 million in Medicaid cut goals outlined in last year’s session
In the 2011 legislative session, Rep. Janice McGeachin,R-IdahoFalls, successfully pushed a bill to cut $35 million out of the Medicaid budget. It appears, at least six months into the process, the state will hit its savings targets overall, though certain … Continue reading
New Medicaid requirements could cost $19 million in 2014, $100 million by 2019
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) director Dick Armstrong told lawmakers on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Monday that in 2014, the first year of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) full implementation, Medicaid would need $19 million in extra state … Continue reading
Otter now concedes that $300 million in Medicaid funding not at risk in health exchange program (video)
Last week, IdahoReporter.com first reported that there was no connection between the creation of a state-based health exchange and a possible loss of Medicaid funding, even though Gov. Butch Otter suggested there might be. This week, Otter has reversed course, … Continue reading
Otter says lack of exchange could threaten Medicaid funds, but one expert says otherwise (video)
Gov. Butch Otter told reporters at the Capitol Thursday that the federal government could yank some of its matching funding for the Medicaid program if lawmakers don’t move to create a health insurance exchange, a provision of the 2010 federal … Continue reading
Health exchange, new regulations could increase Medicaid enrollment by 100,000
A new health insurance program could mean that 100,000 more Idahoans would end up with government-paid health coverage. That was the sentiment Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dick Armstrong shared with members of the House Health and Welfare … Continue reading
Utah could provide Gem State a path to curbing growing Medicaid costs
Idaho’s neighbor to the south, Utah, could show the Gem State a path to curbing ever-rising Medicaid costs while, two Utah legislators believe, improving health service delivery performance. The Utah Legislature passed a plan to reform Medicaid this year with unanimous … Continue reading
Former state economist explains new fiscal center and recent Idaho fiscal activity
Mike Ferguson, the official top Idaho economic forecaster for 26 years, is turning his focus back to tax revenues. Ferguson, the former state chief economist, is leading the new Idaho Center on Fiscal Policy, which aims at shaping future discussions … Continue reading
Appeals court sides with Idaho, other states on individual mandate
A federal appeals court in Georgia ruled Friday that the federal health care reform’s requirement that people buy health insurance or pay a fine is unconstitutional. Idaho was one of 26 states to sue the federal government to block the … Continue reading
Governor’s office approves millions in health reform grants
When Idaho Gov. Butch Otter signed an executive order blocking the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), referred to by some as Obamacare, it didn’t slam the door completely on the multi-billion federal program. The governor … Continue reading
State delaying hospitals’ Medicaid payments into next week
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) won’t be sending any checks in the mail to Idaho hospitals for the next few days to reimburse medical services, as the agency seeks to balance its budget amid increased demand. Hospitals … Continue reading