Idaho can’t afford more cuts to Medicaid. Seniors rely on it | Opinion

Last month, Idaho reduced its Medicaid reimbursement rate by 4% — just two months after a previous 4% cut to nursing facilities in July. Altogether, this means long-term care (LTC) reimbursement rates were reduced by a significant 8% within a span of just 60 days. These cuts not only jeopardize the well-being of vulnerable seniors who depend on daily care but also raise serious concerns about the future sustainability of Idaho’s entire health care system.

Idaho’s seniors and individuals with disabilities deserve dignity and reliable care, not reductions to their health coverage. Lawmakers must follow the Big Beautiful Bill and safeguard care for seniors, ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens do not lose access to the life-saving services they depend on.

Medicaid is the primary source of coverage for long-term care nationwide, and Idaho is no exception. In the Gem State, more than 65% of nursing facility residents are covered by Medicaid. These individuals require assistance with essential daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, and walking. Seniors are often surprised to learn that these critical services are not covered by Medicare or private insurance, underscoring the crucial role of Medicaid as a safety net.

Yet in many states, including Idaho, Medicaid reimbursement rates often fall short of covering the actual cost of care. Many facilities are already in precarious financial situations, making it difficult to keep up with inflation and recruit and retain their workforce. Reducing Medicaid funding is the opposite of what we should be doing to prepare for our state’s future care needs, yet senior care providers haven’t seen a rate increase since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates will be devastating. Thousands of Idaho seniors may be faced with limited access to care, and facilities will be forced to make impossible decisions like turning away prospective residents or reducing services. Some may be unable to keep their doors open altogether, leaving vulnerable seniors and disabled individuals searching farther or waiting longer for the care they can’t survive without.

These cuts to Medicaid will also have a ripple effect extending far beyond nursing facilities, affecting Idaho’s entire health care system. Seniors without access to long-term care will end up waiting for weeks or even months in hospitals because they have nowhere else to go. With fewer Medicaid dollars, the existing provider shortages across our state will only worsen.

Cuts to Medicaid are the last thing we need. Seniors are projected to make up 23% of Idaho’s population by 2030, a 33% increase from 2012. As our residents age, the demand for long-term care is only going to increase. Having high-quality care options is worth every penny — especially when it’s your parent, grandparent, or other loved one requiring around-the-clock care.

The bottom line is clear: it’s time for lawmakers to stand with Idaho seniors and protect their access to care. Thousands of Idaho seniors and individuals with disabilities are being put at risk. There is a better way to balance our state budget without harming our most vulnerable citizens. Lawmakers must act now to protect Medicaid for Idaho’s seniors and ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to the care they need and deserve.

Robert Vande Merwe is the executive director of the Idaho Health Care Association.