New legislation aims to crack down on Medicaid expansion

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A bill making its way through the state legislature looks to impose stricter rules when it comes to Idaho’s Medicaid Expansion, but opponents argue it could do away with the insurance program.

“House bill 138 is a bill that restores integrity, responsibly and self-sufficiency back into our Medicaid Expansion Program,” says Republican State Representative, Jordan Redman.

State Rep. Redman is the sponsor of house bill 138, also known as the “Medicaid Expansion Bill.” If approved, it would amend existing law to require certain federal waivers for continued Medicaid Expansion eligibility.

That includes things like work requirements, enrollment caps, improper payment controls, and time limits on benefits.

“Medicaid is eating up about 30 % of our state budget currently, it has grown significantly since the early 2000′s, and one of the issue with that too is that on the expansion populations--- the money is not being spent wisely,” says Redman. “We have an 18.5% improper payment on that $1.6 billion budget.”

The bill passed the state house on Wednesday with a vote of 38 to 32. Republican State Representative Lance Clow says he voted against the bill because he didn’t agree with all eleven of the proposed waivers.

“I had a problem with a couple of waivers, but one of the issues that was most disturbing to me is that it was unlikely the federal government would approve all 11 waivers, in which would effectively say it was a repeal, and I think that what most people were concerned with,” says Clow.

Other lawmakers, including Democratic Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, made similar arguments on the floor.

“I think excellent points have been made clarifying that this bill is in fact repeal,” said Rubel. “It is not cyborgs, it is not reform, it is repeal. I have a better chance at flying a unicorn to the moon and back than we have of keeping Medicaid Expansion if House Bill 138 becomes law.”

Lawmakers who support the bill emphasized it’s not a repeal, but a way to contain the program to avoid budget deficiency.

“This isn’t just a good bill, it’s a great bill and it gives us the means necessary to protect Idaho,” said State Rep. Josh Tanner.

“That’s what this bill brings, is accountability in expansion, which we don’t have right now,” added State Rep. Faye Thompson.

House Bill 138 now heads to the state senate for discussion.

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