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Idaho legislators take aim at health insurers amid Portneuf, Regence dispute

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Idaho legislators take aim at health insurers amid Portneuf, Regence dispute


Idaho lawmakers are digging into how the state might better regulate health insurance companies that poorly treat their customers and healthcare providers.

The newly formed Idaho Health Insurers Working Group is studying how poorly performing companies affect their customers’ health when they delay treatments and refuse to reimburse providers.

“A delay that may seem minor on paper can mean a long drive, missed work, postponed treatment or a worsening health condition for someone in our district,” said Rep. Dustin Manwaring (R-Pocatello), who co-chairs the group.

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Manwaring’s own Pocatello district is facing these issues.

The state’s insurance provider, Regence, is in a contract fight with the city’s hospital, Portneuf Medical Center.

Their agreement ended in June, meaning anyone insured by Regence must now pay substantial out-of-network rates at Portneuf, excluding emergency care.

Faith Knowlton, who runs Idaho’s office of group insurance, told legislators Tuesday that Portneuf’s for-profit owners have asked for much higher reimbursement rates for their new contract.

Knowlton said the proposed rate hike would’ve affected every insured state employee.

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“The entire 65,000 members would see a 7% increase [to their healthcare costs] to allow 3,000 members to stay in the network,” she said.

Regence said it’s continuing negotiations with Portneuf’s for-profit owners, Ardent Health Services, which owns more than 285 clinics and hospitals across the country.

Portneuf said in a press release from June that it had been negotiating in good faith with the insurance company.

“However, Regence denies a substantial portion of claims for care we provide, has millions of dollars in unpaid claims owed to Portneuf, and has taken the position that patients can seek care elsewhere rather than reaching a new agreement,” Portneuf said.

Lawmakers plan to further dive into the issue next month.

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New medical office building planned at Eagle View Landing amid Meridian’s rapid growth

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New medical office building planned at Eagle View Landing amid Meridian’s rapid growth


MERIDIAN, Idaho — A new medical office building is in the works at Eagle View Landing in Meridian as developers work toward completing one of the Treasure Valley’s growing mixed-use developments.

Ahlquist Developers is planning a three-story medical office building at Eagle View Landing, located near Eagle Road and I-84. Construction could begin later this year, with the full development expected to be completed in 2027.

WATCH: Plans for new medical office building at Eagle View Landing in Meridian

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New medical services coming to Eagle View Landing in Meridian

For some Meridian residents, the addition of healthcare options can’t come soon enough.

“We need it,” Ashley Ferguson, owner of The Griddle, said.

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Ferguson said access to healthcare providers and specialists is something the area has been missing.

“I myself have multiple sclerosis and just recently did the Treasure Valley get an MS specialist before you just had to go to a general neurologist,” Ferguson told Idaho News 6.

RELATED | Ustick Road opens one lane in each direction between Ten Mile and Linder after months of being closed

Meridian neighbor, Carlie DeCock, said developments like Eagle View Landing are already transforming the surrounding neighborhood.

“I feel that it’s brought in better food selections, better outdoor parks [and] recreation,” DeCock said. “Everybody obviously likes the outdoors they come to the Topgolf, they want to be outdoors … so just a sense of community has been great in the growth.”

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Topgolf, five other projects, coming to Meridian

Mark Cleverly, Ahlquist chief leasing officer, said the company is eager to expand its healthcare footprint at the development.

RELATED | Idaho State Police break ground on $29M forensic lab in Meridian

“We’re really excited for we we’ve done a lot of medical in the past and we’re excited to kind of get back to some of the roots that we started with,” Cleverly shared.

The medical office building is one of the final projects planned at Eagle View Landing. Ahlquist leaders said they are still finalizing plans for two additional lots — including another office building east of Topgolf and a second lot with plans for future housing.

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Walking distance from Eagle View Landing, Nutex Health recently submitted an application for a micro hospital off Eagle Road, though that project is still under review.

Ferguson said the need for healthcare in the area will only grow over time.

“As people continue to age and the valley continues to grow, there’s always going to be a need for more family practitioners,” Ferguson said.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Send tips to Meridian neighborhood reporter Kalkidan Meyer

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Idaho Justices Accept Changed Abortion Ballot Statement Language

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Idaho Justices Accept Changed Abortion Ballot Statement Language


The Idaho Supreme Court said state officials’ revised statements on the Nov. 3 general election ballot concerning abortion rights comply with state law.

While the justices on Sept. 4 agreed with a reproductive rights group that the statements failed to clearly and concisely convey the effect of a “yes” or “no” on Proposition One, which is known as the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, Justice Gregory W. Moeller said in a Sept. 6 substituted opinion that the newly-submitted revised statements are lawful.

A “yes” vote “would support creating a right to abortion before fetal viability,” the revised statements say. A …

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Women’s soccer defeats Idaho State on senior day: Photo Gallery

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Women’s soccer defeats Idaho State on senior day: Photo Gallery


The SMU Mustangs took on the Idaho State Bengals on senior night, prevailing with a dominant 6-0 win. Goaltenders Aubrey Brown and Jessi Curry combined for the Mustangs’ fifth shutout of the season. Brooke Bunton led the offensive attack, scoring three of the team’s six goals to record her first hat trick of the season. The victory on Sept. 6, 2026, moves the Mustangs to a 5-1-2 record to start the 2026 season. On Friday, Sept. 11, the Mustangs will travel to face the University of Miami in an away match and the first match of the ACC.



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