In this Issue...

1. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Forced to Make Corrective Action to Receive 2025 Budget
2. In Case You Missed the First 2024 IMA Weekly Legislative Report!
3. SCOTUS Lifts EMTALA Exception to Idaho’s Criminal Abortion Law
4. Physician Vitality Program
5. Join/Renew IMA Today
6. IAPA Annual Meeting & CME Conference
7. IMA Education Webinar 2024 Schedule
8. Winter Clinics
9. Medical Practice Opportunities

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Forced to Make Corrective Action to Receive 2025 Budget

According to the budget and policy manager for the Legislative Services Office (LSO), the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) will exclude funding for the Department of Health and Welfare's (DHW) indirect support services from the fiscal year 2025 maintenance of current operations budgets, unless DHW shows corrective actions from an earlier audit.

An audit was conducted by LSO in August to investigate the distribution of grant funds by the DHW. The audit noted that the program lacked controls, allowing grant funds to be used for ineligible purposes and recipients. DHW officials disputed the audit findings.

In response to the impending JFAC action, DHW spokesperson AJ McWhorter stated, “Shutting down administrative functions most definitely will impact the department’s ability to provide services to DHW patients and beneficiaries, who are among Idaho’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged families. However, JFAC sets the rules for budgeting, and as an executive branch agency, DHW will work within the rules.”

The budget hearings are scheduled for March 6 and March 7, respectively, and DHW’s fiscal year 2025 budgets for public health services and Medicaid will be the last two budgets JFAC members will set this year.

In Case You Missed the First 2024 IMA Weekly Legislative Report!

In the January 12 issue...

• Governor Brad Little's State of the State and Budget Address
• 2024 IMA Legislative Priorities and Talking Points
• A Full Health Exception is Needed
• Reinstatement of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC)
• Expanding Graduate Medical Education (GME) to Increase the Number of Physicians Throughout Idaho
• Resuming Naloxone Distribution 

Don't miss out on future updates coming every Friday during the 2024 legislative session. Sign up to receive IMA's weekly Legislative Reports by clicking HERE.

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SCOTUS Lifts EMTALA Exception to Idaho’s Criminal Abortion Law Health Law Update

By Holland and Hart, Cameron McCue

The United States Supreme Court ended the Emergency Treatment and Active Labor Act (“EMTALA”) exception to Idaho’s total abortion ban for now. The net effect is that Idaho’s criminal abortion ban now applies even in EMTALA cases except (1) if the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or (2) for cases of rape or incest if certain conditions are met.

The decision, issued by the Supreme Court in a brief unsigned order, agreed to resolve whether Idaho’s total abortion ban conflicts with EMTALA. The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the case this April. A final decision could come as late as this summer. 

The program provides five confidential appointments at no cost, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the privacy of individuals seeking help. While many clinicians have access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) through their insurance plans, they often hesitate to use them due to genuine or perceived confidentiality concerns. ACMS created its own panel of clinically licensed mental health professionals available throughout Idaho and via telehealth and chose those with a reputation for serving medical clinicians. It is suitable for those seeking help for depression, grief, relationship and work challenges, imposter syndrome, and other issues commonly faced by those who practice medicine.

To determine if you are eligible for services, you may verify your IMA membership at https://www.idmed.org/idaho/Idaho_Public/Physician_Finder/Idaho_Public/Physician_Finder/Search.aspx.

To find out more about this program and access appointments, visit the site by clicking the button below.

**Watch for IMA invoice or log on to IMA website to pay dues.

Emergency Responders Health Center (ERHC)

Make a Difference - Help Emergency Responders Health Center promote access to highly specialized care benefiting firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs/paramedics, dispatchers, and their families.

ERHC is seeking a dynamic project manager to support the launch of our second location. At the invitation of emergency agencies, we’re opening a new clinic serving Coeur d’Alene and surrounding communities. ERHC is the provider of choice for 30+ Idaho fire, law enforcement, and paramedic/EMT departments; our Boise location cares for 8,000+ responders/family members.

ERHC’s practice model spans “360 degrees of care” including preventative health, sports medicine, occupational medicine, primary/urgent care, physical therapy and mental health.

This full-time position is headquartered in Boise with periodic travel to the Coeur d’Alene region. Our versatile new team member will support the opening of the ERHC North Health Center, through assistance with recruiting and onboarding clinical team members; leasing a suitable facility; overseeing IT installation and maintenance; supporting program development and marketing/outreach activities; and more. Visit https://er-hc.org/careers to view a full job description and for application instructions.

Eligible candidates will have a minimum of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum three years’ experience in a related project management/executive assistant role; direct experience supporting an outpatient healthcare clinic is preferred. Salary of $80,000 and competitive benefits package. Questions? Email [email protected].