Friday, February 16, 2024

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

Great News for GME Expansion!

On February 16, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) approved the health education portion of the State Board of Education’s proposed FY 2025 budget – this budget line item includes funding for expanding graduate medical education (GME) programs.

In the process, JFAC’s approved budget now fully funds eight new residency positions at $60,000, a request totaling $481,000. Six additional new residents are fully federally funded, for a total of 14 new positions. As you may recall, the Governor’s budget proposal to JFAC capped these positions at $55,000. This increase is fantastic news and an improvement the lobby team continued to support.

IMA thanks JFAC for their support of this critically important physician workforce program. However, this is only the initial step. We will need your help as this legislation moves through the full House and Senate.

Over recent weeks we have updated you on the progress of HB 397, legislation that moves IRIS to an opt-in system, significantly decreasing the effectiveness of this valuable public health tool.

HB 397 is expected to receive a hearing in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee in the coming weeks, and we need your help urging your Senator to oppose this legislation. Here are impacts that your Senator should know:

• The change to opt-in would negatively impact the vast majority of Idahoans who want to be automatically included in IRIS to accommodate a small minority of people who don't want their information included.
• It will be more difficult for patients and physicians to accurately keep track of necessary vaccinations if all information isn't automatically included.
• It increases the chances of patients receiving duplicate vaccinations, adding unnecessary healthcare costs.
• The change to opt-in would create additional work and expense for physicians and other healthcare providers, especially in rural clinics.
• Costs to the state would also increase, as opt-in registries are more expensive to maintain.

Contact your legislator by clicking here.

Fentanyl Testing Strip Legislation Advances

On February 15, the House Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on HB 441, legislation that would legalize fentanyl testing strips. For decades, most states in the US have classified drug testing equipment, when the intent is to test for drug purity, as drug paraphernalia thus making it illegal. However, with the rise in fentanyl-related deaths there has been a national movement to make an exception for fentanyl testing strips. This harm reduction strategy has paid off, saving countless numbers of lives. Unfortunately, Idaho is one of just six states yet to make the change.

We would like to thank Rep. Marco Erickson (R-Idaho Falls) and Rep. Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) for introducing HB 441, along with the House Health and Welfare Committee for advancing this IMA priority to the House floor with a do pass recommendation.

Idaho Immunization Assessment Board Advances

On February 15, the House Health and Welfare Committee sent HB 439 to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. Introduced by Rep. Dori Healey (R-Boise), HB 439 would extend the sunset date for the Idaho Immunization Assessment Board to July 1, 2029. The Board is critical as it is tasked to assess fees from all health insurance carriers to fund the Immunization Assessment Program.

IMA has supported this program since its inception. Without it, physicians and pharmacists would be required to have two sets of vaccines – one for the Medicaid population and one for everyone else. This would require dual storage units, likely impacting smaller, rural clinics, ultimately impacting access to vaccines.

IMA is working with a large group of stakeholders to ensure HB 439 is successfully signed into law.

National Advocacy Conference and Capitol Hill Fly-In

IMA Leadership made the trip to Washington, DC to participate in the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference. IMA CEO Susie Keller joined AMA Delegate Dr. Patrice Burgess and Alternate Delegate Dr. Zach Warnock in meetings with Idaho’s Congressional Delegation.



The group advocated for an array of issues including legislation to prioritize Medicare physician payment reforms and addressing current physician shortages with emphasis on GME. If you are interested in taking a more in depth look at the policy areas of greatest concern on the federal side, CLICK HERE.



IMA thanks the staff of Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher for taking time out of their chaotic schedules to meet with the team.

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