JFAC approves Medicaid supplementals, ongoing Medicaid funding and reporting trailers

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to approve a package of fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations and a set of FY2026 enhancements and ongoing appropriations for the Division of Medicaid in the Department of Health and Welfare.

Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told committee members the FY2025 supplemental package combined several line items into a single motion to speed consideration. The supplemental included $1,350,000 (one time) for the managed care external quality review required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); $1,000,008 and related implementation costs tied to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan system configuration; $113,849,300 to cover an updated Medicaid forecast for FY2025; $108,821,400 for an Idaho Behavioral Health Plan capitation rate increase; and $77,243,700 in dedicated funds for the hospital assessment fund to allow hospitals to transmit assessments that unlock additional federal funds. Williamson said the supplemental totals $415,226,800 across general, dedicated and federal funds.

The committee then approved a FY2026 package that makes portions of the supplemental ongoing and adds other maintenance items. Representative Furness moved the…