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Committee backs cutting extra refugee medical-assistance eligibility from 150% to 133% of federal poverty guideline
Summary
The committee voted to send House Bill 199 to the Senate with a due-pass recommendation. Sponsor and supporters said the change aligns refugee eligibility with other Idahoans; refugee advocates and clinicians warned the reduction would make it harder for a small number of newly arrived refugees to get care during their first year.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 199 to the Senate with a due-pass recommendation after hearing sponsor remarks and public testimony from refugee services staff and clinicians.
Sponsor Senator Keiser told the committee the bill moves an existing administrative rule into statute and removes an extra eligibility tier in the Refugee Medical Assistance program. Under current practice, refugees whose income exceeds 133 percent of the federal poverty guideline could qualify for an expanded benefit up to 150 percent; the bill reduces that provision so refugees are treated the same as other Idahoans at 133 percent of the guideline, Keiser said.
Keiser said Idaho resettles roughly 1,000…
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