The Idaho Senate has approved amendments to legislation involving the state’s voter-approved Medicaid expansion law that adds mandatory work requirements.
The chamber Monday debated nine amendments to a bill originating in the Senate before finishing with a measure that’s similar to a House proposal a Senate committee killed last week.
The Senate has already passed an appropriations bill paying for Medicaid expansion as approved by voters with no work requirements, and Governor Brad Little has included money for the expansion in his budget. But the GOP-led House has refused to vote on the appropriations bill as a majority of representatives appear to want work requirements, despite a federal judge striking down similar requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky.
The amendments to the Idaho Senate measure are an attempt to get a bill that can be approved by the House and get Little’s signature.
The Senate will next have to vote on whether to approve the amended bill in its entirety before it goes to the House. (AP)
