Committee holds bill that would require elected officials on district health boards

Representative Doug Pickett (R.-Dist. 27) introduced House Bill 366 on the Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee agenda, saying the measure would require representatives on district health boards to be elected officials or other elected officeholders appointed by county commissions.

The bill was prompted by county commissioners in Pickett’s district and, he told the panel, aims to ensure those who sit on district health boards are “accountable to the public.” “This bill is intended to ensure that representatives on District Health Boards are elected officials,” Pickett said.

The measure would preserve an existing allowance for a physician to serve on district health boards, and — after changes made during drafting with county feedback — would permit a county commission to appoint other elected officials (for example, a sheriff or clerk) where county commissioners themselves cannot serve. The printed draft also contains language giving appointment priority to the county that provides the greatest share of district funding.

Former state Rep. Greg Furch testified in opposition on his own behalf, telling the committee the concerns HB 366 aims to address are largely…