Idaho
Idaho DOGE Task Force recommends repealing Medicaid Expansion, defunding Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
BOISE, Idaho — During an end-of-year meeting, the Idaho DOGE Task Force recommended that the Idaho Legislature repeal Medicaid Expansion in Idaho. The task force also recommended the eventual defunding of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
The Idaho DOGE Task Force is not a representative committee and can only make recommendations to lawmakers ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
In 2018, 60% of Idahoans voted in favor of Medicaid expansion, then listed on the ballot as Idaho Proposition 2.
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In Idaho, Medicaid Expansion allows state residents ages 19–64 with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid benefits— even if they don’t have dependent children or disabilities, which were previously required.
The program is jointly funded by the federal government and the state. The program aims to reduce the uninsured rate, improve access to care, and lower uncompensated care costs for hospitals.
Now, the state faces a $40+ million budget deficit and is looking for ways to mitigate the effects of that windfall.
Recommended repeal of Medicaid Expansion
During preliminary comments ahead of the discussion regarding Medicaid Expansion, Co-Chair of the Idaho DOGE Task Force, Senator Todd M. Lakey (R) said he didn’t support Medicaid Expansion when it was proposed and to this day remains opposed.
Sen. Lakey cited one comment on the DOGE Task Force website that claimed people were defrauding Medicaid in lieu of working full-time. Sen. Lakey read that comment aloud, which stated that Medicaid Expansion is “training and teaching Idahoans how to be poor and live like they are our liberal neighbors.”
Following that preliminary statement, Representative Josh Tanner (R) of Eagle made the motion to repeal Medicaid Expansion, saying that in his business experience, he witnessed prospective employees who wanted to work less than 30 hours to retain their Medicaid benefits. He went on to claim that Medicaid is keeping working Idahoans out of the workforce.
Hear Sen. Lakey’s preliminary statement on Medicaid Expansion in Idaho
Idaho DOGE Task Force: Medicaid Expansion
The motion passed with the lone dissenting votes coming from Senator Carrie Semmelroth (D) of Boise and Representative Dustin Manwaring (R) of Pocatello.
Sen. Semmelroth cited concerns on exactly how the move would ensure “fiscal responsibility” for the State of Idaho moving forward, “given how complex this issue is.” She went on to cite that the catastrophic fund was eliminated when Medicaid was expanded and that she would like to see its return if Medicaid Expansion were repealed.
Rep. Manwaring said his “no” vote came from a reform mindset that would forgo a full repeal. He stated that his approach was due in large part to Medicaid Expansion’s previous support by Idaho voters. Rep. Manwaring stated he’d rather “contain costs” without a full repeal.
Defunding the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Earlier in the meeting, the Idaho DOGE Task Force also heard testimony from the executive director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Annette Tipton, regarding its state funding. The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs was created to serve as a bridge between the Hispanic Community and the state government. The commission regularly hosts events and programs to empower the Hispanic community within Idaho while simultaneously serving as a communication channel between the state government and the Hispanic community.
Tipton called the commission “modest but mighty” and explained how they had cut costs over the past 7 months while “doing more with less.” She went on to say the commission’s “impact has affected all of Idaho.” Ultimately, she said the commission will be requesting $85,000 for the 2026 fiscal year. Those funds would go solely towards paying her salary as well as an assistant.
Hear Rep. Tanner’s comments on the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and Executive Director Annette Tipton’s repsonse
Idaho DOGE Task Force: Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Rep. Tanner questioned the commission’s premise, asking, “How do you justify within a Hispanic Commission a separate specialized commission that’s doing something, when realistically, we are all Americans, and that is what we should be working for?” He went on to add, “This seems like more of a DEI type thing.”
Tipton said the commission’s purpose is not DEI-based but instead is based on “Idaho values.” She went on to claim that the Commission has seen its Idaho Youth Leadership event retain a 50% Hispanic, 50% non-Hispanic attendance. She says all the commission’s events are open to all Idahoans, not just Hispanics.
Rep. Tanner ultimately made a motion to remove any general funds for the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and instead, recommended that the commission be privately funded in the future. The task force passed the motion and recommended a two-year runway to defund the commission. The only dissenting vote came from Sen. Semmelroth.
We’re lucky to live in a place as safe as the Treasure Valley. Despite our growth, one of the things that makes our area so special is the way that we look out for one another–for our neighbors! That’s a principle that seems to have held on as Boise has boomed.
Despite low crime rates, there seems to always be one incident or so that makes us scratch our heads.
A recent string of fraud incidents in the Treasure Valley area is one of those.
Nampa Police initially warned the public of this because cases of fraud began to ‘mushroom’. Then, it took an interesting turn–people that HAD their credit cards were being ‘taken to the bank’, so to speak.
In a statement originally released on April 30th by the Nampa Police Department, officials advised the following:
We are not sure how the suspects are gaining access to the victim’s credit cards. There is a growing fraud scheme, “ghost tapping”, that scammers are using to access victims’ credit cards. This is possibly occurring in these instances. “Ghost tapping” uses stolen credit card details in Apple Pay or Google Pay, then remotely relays the tap signal over the internet to a ‘mule’ at a store, allowing them to make high-value purchases that appear completely legitimate. (We’ll share more information on ghost tapping in a later public service announcement that will also suggest ways to protect yourself.) The app used by these criminals obscures the actual credit card number, making it harder for investigators to link a victim to a particular crime. Keep in mind that victims still have their physical credit cards while suspects use the stolen card information to make purchases, which also affects how victims are alerted. So far, local investigators have not been able to identify a common theme among the victims (e.g., a specific bank, a website they visited, a gas pump they used, etc.) in the fraud cases we are investigating.
The investigation spans far and wide.
Authorities say that some suspects are in custody, others are being contacted, and others are still at large.
Now, a week later, the police are back to reaching out to the public–this time, urging people to check their bank accounts.
Nampa Police say that they have caught onto a pattern– there are fraudulent charges at Albertson’s to purchase gift cards, at Costco to purchase Apple products, and at Best Buy, also for Apple products.
Check those bank statements!
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The USDA has issued a public health alert for various meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated dairy that may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall was originally issued on April 30th, but the contaminated product list could continue to grow as more products are identified.
The Food Safety and Inspection arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the public health alert and there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the products listed below, consumers are still advised to dispose of the items or return them to the place of purchase. Great Value and Pork King Good products sold at Idaho Walmart stores are included in the alert and recall.
Public Health Alert and Food Recall Issued For Pizza and Pork Rinds Sold in Idaho
As of right now, the food list includes pork rinds, breakfast pizzas, and chicken bacon ranch pizzas. The list could grow and the USDA advises consumers to check the list frequently. We will also update the list here when possible. The contaminated products carry a variety of ‘Best By’ and ‘Produced On’ dates, so check the lists carefully to make sure you don’t consume a contaminated product.
The nationwide brands to look for are Mama Cozzi’s from Aldi stores, Pork King Good, and Great Value at Walmart Stores.
Photo Credit USDA – 1
Photo Credit USDA – 1
You can also look through these label photos to see if you have the product in your freezer.
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
If you feel sick and have consumed a contaminated product, the USDA advise you to contact your health care provider.
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