Idaho lawmakers want to amend Medicaid expansion bill — for the 7th time

Idaho lawmakers are taking another shot at putting their own spin on Idaho’s Medicaid expansion. This time, it’s up to the House to amend a piece of legislation that has already been amended several times, adding controversial “sideboards” including work requirements.

The Health and Welfare Committee voted Wednesday to send the bill — which originated in the Senate — on to the House for amendments.

The bill has been changed so many times that its original sponsor voted against it. And when it came up Wednesday morning before the House Health and Welfare Committee, lawmakers were surprised to notice it was missing a piece: It didn’t provide any work training, which was seen as a key component of the work requirement.

Rep. Ilana Rubel, a Boise Democrat, said the bill is being rushed through the Legislature and raises too many unanswered questions.

“We have a mangy, three-legged, rabid, two-headed camel here,” she said during Wednesday’s committee hearing. That’s not what voters asked for when they approved Proposition 2 — a straight expansion of the Medicaid program, she said. “The people gave us a racehorse.”

The legislation is an attempt to reach a compromise that can clear both chambers and get Republican Gov. Brad Little’s signature.

The bill doesn’t kick anyone off Medicaid if they don’t fulfill the work requirements. Instead, it would require a copay when seeking medical services.

A House bill that did kick able-bodied people off Medicaid if they didn’t work died in a Senate committee last month. Voters authorized Medicaid expansion in an initiative in November with 61% of the vote after years of inaction by the Legislature.

This story was originally published April 3, 2019 at 12:29 PM.