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Providers brace for 4% Medicaid reduction
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports When the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced a 4% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates, Robert Vande Merwe’s first reaction was, “This is going to devastate Idaho.” The Aug. 22nd letter from DHW director Juliet Charron cited rising Medicaid costs, and said the reimbursement changes will go into place…
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IDHW reducing Medicaid provider rates by 4%
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has notified Medicaid providers that the state will reduce reimbursement rates by 4%, effective Sept. 1. The reductions will affect all provider types and services, except for payments to Indian Health Services and other tribal clinics, said IDHW Director Juliet Charron in a…
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Crapo blocks tariff bill days before Trump imposes tariffs on Canada, Mexico
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports Updated at 7:50 pm Wednesday with comments from Sen. Mike Crapo. On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, blocked a bill that would have prevented the president from imposing tariffs without Congressional consent on countries that are allies of the United States, calling the proposal “too blunt of an instrument…
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Two of Idaho’s largest trade partners hit by tariff threat
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced he had enacted 25% tariffs on most imported goods from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% on goods from China. Those three countries are the United States’ top trading partners, and the tariffs have economists concerned that the move will not only raise…
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Former U.S. Sen. Symms passes away
by Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports Former US Senator Steve Symms passed away on Thursday, according to Gov. Brad Little’s office. He was 86 years old. Symms was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1972. He served three terms in the House, then ran for Senate against longtime incumbent Democrat Frank Church. Symms…
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Initial takeaways from the 2024 primary
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports Tuesday didn’t mark the first time an Idaho Senate President Pro Tem lost an election, but it sure isn’t common. During the 1988 general election, Democrat Mike Burkett beat Republican Pro Tem James Risch. I couldn’t find any examples of a Pro Tem losing a primary race. Senate President Pro…
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Conservative candidates win big in Magic Valley
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports It was a huge night for conservative Republicans in Magic Valley, with multiple incumbents losing to challengers who attacked their voting records on social issues and spending. Sen. Linda Wright Hartgen and Reps. Greg Lanting and Chenele Dixon lost their Republican primaries on Tuesday. Incumbent Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, one of…
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Idaho Reports live legislative primary coverage
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New report highlights mothers’ views on community support
On this week’s Idaho Reports, Shannon McGuire of Spark! Strategic Solutions shares findings from a new report, “Built With Care: Unifying Communities Through Motherhood,” which examines Idaho mothers’ views on community support. Among the findings: Read the full report below, and watch the full interview with McGuire on the May 10th episode of Idaho Reports.…
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Adams to serve as new IDHW director
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports Alex Adams will serve as the new director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare starting on June 5. Adams has served as the administrator Division of Financial Management since Gov. Brad Little first took office in January 2019. He also briefly served as the interim director of the…
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IDHW requests AG’s opinion on Medicaid programs, waivers
By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has formally requested a written legal opinion on whether the state can continue providing certain Medicaid programs. In an April 23rd letter to Chief Deputy Attorney General Phil Broadbent, IDHW interim director Dean Cameron outlined 26 Medicaid programs and benefits that a new…
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A smooth caucus experience, for those who could attend
Voters who were able to attend Saturday’s Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus likely reported a great experience. But it was a different story for those who missed it, whether because of confusing information from the Idaho Republican Party, difficult weather, or work schedules.