Friday, March 1, 2024

During the seventh week of the legislative session, updates are provided below on several bills that impact IMA's priorities.

Contribute to IMPAC Today!

2024 will be an especially important election cycle for IMA and the State of Idaho. Following one of the largest freshman classes in the history of the Idaho legislature, the power of incumbency hasn’t fully set in, making this one of our best opportunities to support our allies and flip seats by opposing legislators with a track record of promoting harmful legislation.

IMA has an opportunity to play a major role through IMPAC, our political action committee. IMPAC makes contributions to candidates from both parties in the Primary and General Elections who are willing to govern and have a track record of supporting Idaho physicians – our friends of medicine.

Contributing to IMPAC is easy. You can do so by clicking HERE or by texting the word “IMPAC” to 208-996-8776.

Time is of the essence and every dollar matters - please make your contribution today! The IMPAC Board will meet in early April to make contribution decisions for the May Primary.

Please reach out to Mike Cunnington@idmed.org or Susie@idmed.org with any questions or for technical assistance.

Thank you for your support! 

GME - We Need Your Help!

On February 29, the appropriations bill to expand GME in Idaho was given a bill number and path to become law. HB 681 will be routed through the House first where it is expected to be met with lively debate.

As previously reported, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) recently approved the health education portion of the State Board of Education’s proposed FY 2025 budget. The approved budget now fully funds eight new residency positions at $60,000, a request totaling $480,000, and an increase from the Governor’s original request.

HB 681 is expected to be debated by the full House as early as next week. Like last year, IMA is expecting resistance from conservative legislators along with a close vote. We need your help! Please take a moment to contact your legislators and ask them to support this critical legislation. 

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

HB 542: International Physicians Clears the House

Last year, with the support of IMA, Governor Little signed SB 1094 into law – legislation that created an expedited pathway for international medical graduates forcibly removed from their home country.

This January, IMA partnered with several stakeholders to expand on that concept. Introduced by Rep. Josh Wheeler (R-Ammon), HB 542 creates a pathway to licensure for internationally trained physicians.

To qualify, individuals must graduate from a US-recognized foreign medical school and have already completed residency or post-graduate training, practiced medicine within the last five years, and passed an English proficiency test. Qualifying applicants are then granted a three-year provisional license allowing them to practice under the direct supervision of an Idaho-licensed physician. Following the three-year apprenticeship, individuals will be eligible to apply for full licensure from the Idaho Board of Medicine.

On February 28, the full House unanimously supported HB 542, sending it to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. IMA would like to thank Rep. Wheeler for continually supporting the Idaho physician workforce.

IMA Public Health Committee - SB 1329: Parental Rights in Medical Dedision Making

The IMA Public Health Committee finalized a white paper answering questions and discussing potential impacts of

SB 1329. If signed into law, SB 1329 would prohibit healthcare providers from treating a minor without parental consent, or from denying a parent access to their child’s health information. The broad language in the bill could unintentionally jeopardize access to services for minors, putting their physical and mental health at risk. For example, this could:

• Restrict a provider’s ability to provide medical services or behavioral health counseling in a situation where the child is in an abusive or neglectful home.
• Limit an adolescent’s access to STI testing, thus increasing the long-term risks to the adolescent’s health and increasing the rates of sexually transmitted infections in the community.
• Confuse providers about whether they can offer behavioral health screenings or counseling for minors in urgent situations where it is not clear that their life is in imminent danger, leading to delays in care.

This bill also appears to conflict with an existing statute that allows minors over 14 to give consent in the case of reportable conditions. Please take a moment to view the Committee’s white paper by clicking HERE.

On February 27, the full Senate passed SB 1329 on a party line vote, sending the legislation to the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee. We will continue to keep you updated on its progress. 

Throughout the Legislative Session, IMA monitors legislation and provides status updates every Friday. Click here to view the IMA Bill Tracker.