House panel sends bill clarifying Medicaid as payer of last resort to the floor

BOISE — The House Health and Welfare Committee voted Friday to send House Bill 31 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation after Representative Jordan Redmond outlined the measure, which clarifies how Medicaid coordinates with other insurance when enrollees have both coverages.

Representative Jordan Redmond, who said he represents District 3 in Kootenai County, told the committee, “The goal of this bill is to release any confusion on payments dealing with Medicaid enrollees that also have third party insurance.” He said the bill would “make sure that providers are being paid promptly and correctly, also relieving the burden on taxpayer funds not being used improper improperly.”

The bill addresses cases in which someone is covered by Medicaid and another insurer. Redmond described a scenario involving children served through the Katie Beckett program, saying many families have employer‑sponsored primary insurance and that Medicaid “is there to cover services…that their primary coverage may not cover and pick up any other coverages that’s not completely satisfied.”

Representative Healy moved to send House Bill 31 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; the committee voiced its approval. The transcript records the committee’s voice vote as “Aye” and the chairman announced that the motion passed and the bill was sent to the floor.

The committee did not enter extended debate and no amendments or opposing arguments were recorded in the transcript. The bill’s text, fiscal impact and any committee-submitted amendments were not discussed in detail on the record during this hearing.

The committee adjourned after completing its two items on the agenda; members were told several legislative services requests (RS) would be introduced the next day.