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Idaho lawmaker introduces RS 31,896 to repeal Medicaid expansion; committee votes to print bill
Summary
Representative John Bandarata introduced RS 31,896 to repeal the state's Medicaid expansion. Committee members debated the fiscal note and potential statewide effects; the House Health and Welfare Committee voted to introduce the request for statute (RS) for further consideration.
Representative John Bandarata, a lawmaker from District 22, introduced RS 31,896 to the House Health and Welfare Committee, seeking repeal of the state's Medicaid expansion. The committee voted to introduce the RS for further review.
The bill’s sponsor framed the RS as a repeal of Medicaid expansion and asked the committee to print the request so the matter could receive a full hearing. Member questions focused on the fiscal note, with discussion centering on an estimated $110,000,000 savings figure reported in the fiscal note and contrasting claims about net fiscal impact.
The committee heard members urge further analysis before endorsing substantive change. One member said the fiscal note appeared to understate long-term costs and argued that eliminating expansion could increase state spending in other areas, including corrections, behavioral health and support for rural hospitals. Another member said the committee should seek more precise estimates of the statewide economic and revenue effects before advancing policy.
Representative John Bandarata (presenter) described the measure as a repeal of Medicaid expansion and asked the committee to introduce the RS for further consideration. Representative Redmond moved to introduce RS 31,896. Representative McCann stated on the record that she would vote to introduce the RS; another member said she could not support even introducing the measure because of anticipated harm to constituents and the state economy. The vice chair recorded two members as opposed; the motion to introduce carried.
The discussion identified points for a fuller hearing: better fiscal analysis that includes indirect state revenue impacts, an accounting of county indigent funds and hospital supports, and options the legislature might consider if expansion were altered. The sponsor said the RS does not currently include restoration of any previously used state funds or county reimbursement programs but acknowledged additional programs or costs might be developed if repeal moves forward.
The committee did not take final action on policy; it only voted to introduce RS 31,896 so that a full hearing and additional fiscal review can be scheduled.
RS 31,896 will proceed to the next steps in the committee process for a printed bill and a scheduled hearing where witnesses and fiscal staff can provide fuller analysis and testimony.
