House Panel to Consider Proposal on Medicaid Gap Next Week

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A key House leader says a proposal will be introduced Monday to address the estimated 78,000 Idahoans who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but also don't qualify for health insurance subsidies.

House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Fred Wood, a Republican from Burley, says legislative leaders were still finalizing the proposal as of Thursday. He declined to disclose details of the plan. Committee members expressed support for addressing the so-called Medicaid gap population before adjournment, which is tentatively slated for March 25.

The Idaho Legislature has rejected multiple requests to expand Medicaid eligibility, but many agree that the state's current indignant health care system is not working. A proposal backed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter that would have provided some care to those without health insurance died earlier this session.