Friday, March 22, 2024

House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees to Host Joint Informational Presentation -

Plan to Attend or Tune in! 

On Tuesday, March 26, at 8am Mountain, the House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees will host a joint informational presentation focused on women’s healthcare workforce challenges in Idaho. With help from a key group of stakeholders, IMA led the effort to bring presenters together to examine the multifaceted impacts of Idaho’s legal environment on the healthcare workforce, quality of care, and access to care in Idaho.

The hearing will be open to the public and is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, at 8am Mountain in the Lincoln Auditorium of the Idaho State Capitol. If you are unable to attend in person, there is a streaming option by clicking HERE. No public testimony will be taken.

The hearing is the culmination of weeks of effort and coordination to create a forum to educate legislators and the public about the unintended consequences of Idaho’s laws on the physician workforce and patient access to care. Please stay tuned for more information coming next week! 

Gov. Little Receives Medicaid

Postpartum Legislation

On March 19, the full Senate passed HB 633 with a 24-10-1 vote, sending this IMA priority to Governor Little where it’s expected to be signed into law. Introduced by Rep. Megan Blanksma (R-Hammett), HB 633 extends Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months, removing barriers for new mothers while helping to improve maternal mortality in Idaho.

Postpartum extension was a top priority entering this legislative session and IMA has been working on this issue with several stakeholders over the years. 

Senate Votes to Repeal Idaho's Needle Exchange Program

On March 21, the full Senate passed HB 617 by a 27-8 vote, sending the repeal of Idaho’s Syringe and Needle Exchange Act to Governor Little. He is expected to sign the bill into law as both the House and Senate have majority support to override a veto.

IMA’s Public Health Committee has been actively trying to inform legislators about the benefits and effectiveness of the program. During debate in both the House and Senate, legislators did express interest in finding an updated solution in 2025. The lobby team will try and work with those legislators and relevant stakeholders to see that the program, or something similar, is restored.

Transparency for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)

On March 19, the path to PBM transparency cleared up as HB 596 was amended, to push the effective date to January 1, 2025, and passed out of the Senate with a 27-8 vote. On March 21, the House Health and Welfare Committee quickly recommended concurrence. 

Introduced by Rep. Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’Alene) and Sen. Kevin Cook (R-Idaho Falls), this IMA-supported legislation helps increase oversight and accountability for PBMs, which we believe will result in lower pharmaceutical costs and greater access to necessary medications for patients.

It's Not Too Late to Support IMPAC

The Idaho Primary Election is on May 21^st. We have a number of allies in the legislature that need our support which we can provide through IMPAC.



We are trying to raise an additional $7,500 by April 1^st. We are close but need your help getting us over the line!

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

Every donation makes a difference and goes to support our “Friends of Medicine”. If you haven’t done so already, please consider contributing today.

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

Thank you for your support!

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