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Senator Wintrow seeks clarity from IDHW on child screening protections after repeal of § 56-253
Summary
During the committee hearing, Senator Wintrow asked whether repeal of § 56-253 left families unclear about early child screenings; IDHW Deputy Director Sasha O'Connell said EPSDT is a federal requirement under the Social Security Act and that Idaho remains subject to it.
Senator Wintrow asked the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Feb. 26, 2026, whether removing state statutory language (§ 56-253 Idaho Code) left parents and families uncertain about whether Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) services would still be provided. The question came during a presentation by Sasha O'Connell, Deputy Director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, on H 345 implementation and Medicaid managed-care planning.
O'Connell responded that EPSDT is described in the federal Social Security Act and constitutes services that must be provided to youth even if a state insurance plan does not otherwise cover them. "Idaho was still subject to that requirement," she said, and she explained the department's approach in recent months has been to remove duplicative state language where federal regulations already provide clear guidance. O'Connell acknowledged that while there were "not concern when 2025 H 345 passed," she had heard more recent concerns from families about potential elimination of some services and reassured the committee that screenings would still be offered.
The exchange distinguished a statutory repeal from the underlying federal entitlement: the department emphasized that federal law continues to obligate states to cover EPSDT services. No formal vote or policy change was taken at this meeting; O'Connell asked the Committee to remain engaged as IDHW continues to refine implementation details and stakeholder communications.
