Idaho Governor-elect Brad Little says he’s committed to implementing a voter-approved expansion of Medicaid coverage but wants to make sure the state doesn’t create an incentive for people not to work.
The Republican made the comments at The Associated Press Legislative Preview on Thursday, a day before he’s sworn in as Idaho’s 33rd governor.
Little didn’t specify whether he wanted work or other requirements for the estimated 60,000 low-income adults across the state that might receive coverage if Medicaid is expanded.
After Little’s remarks, legislative leaders offered thoughts on the upcoming session, including Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke of Oakley, Democratic House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, Republican Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett of Ketchum.
In general, the lawmakers agreed that Medicaid expansion would be a top priority, though there appeared to be differences between the Republicans and Democrats on what they hoped to see emerge.
Medicaid expansion is already the law following the voter-approved initiative Proposition 2, but how it’s funded and what requirements, if any, are made for people to receive Medicaid have yet to be hashed out.
Thousands of Idaho residents have been living “in the gap,” earning too much to qualify for Medicaid health insurance but not enough to get subsidized health care coverage under the state insurance exchange.
Bedke doubted lawmakers would leave the law untouched, with a work or training requirement a possibility. Stennett and Erpelding, noting the preference of the majority of Idaho voters, wanted funding without work or other requirements. (AP)
