Idaho
Idaho Medicaid reform bill moves to the governor's desk
BOISE, Idaho β Changes could be coming for Idahoans on Medicaid. House Bill 345, which has already cleared the Idaho House and Senate, focuses on creating a Medicaid plan where one managed care organization is in charge of all state Medicaid.
While some Idahoans express concerns about how this will impact them, lawmakers say the bill aims to reduce costs and ensure sustainability.
Lawmakers in the Idaho House approve Medicaid bill with new oversight measures
The bill’s sponsor, republican state representative Jordan Redman said, βWeβve had a number of different bills come up this year that address everything from full repeal to significant sideboards. This kind of meets in the middle and gives some sideboards and sustainability as far as access goes. Weβve had provider protections in there.β
The bill also targets Medicaid reform and expansion. One key aspect is that the bill creates work requirements for people between 19 and 64 years old, requiring them to work, volunteer, or attend some type of school or training for at least 20 hours a week to receive Medicaid benefits.
βThere are a number of exceptions in there as well… I think thereβs a lot of value and dignity in doing something outside of your community, whether itβs work or volunteering, and so I think thatβs a benefit. But there was some opposition, saying that people were going to lose coverage based on that,β said Redman.
Angela Lindig is the executive director for Idaho Parents Unlimitedand testified against the bill.
She said, βThere are so many various components that itβs hard to know what to even focus on.β
The organization works with families who have children with disabilities or who need special health care. Although this legislation wonβt directly impact the nonprofit, Lindig says she could personally be affected as her daughter, Amber, uses Medicaid services to live independently.
She worries this bill could impact the growing provider shortage across the country.
βWe want to make sure that any changes made to Medicaid donβt create even greater strains on that provider shortage problem because itβs already at a place where people have been displaced,β said Lindig.
If Governor Little signs the bill, lawmakers say it will save the state $15.9 million in the fiscal year 2026 and even more in 2027β $27.2 million.
The bill will soon be on its way to the governorβs desk.
BOISE, Idaho (Idaho Capital Sun) β Day use access fees at all Idaho state parks will be waived for Idaho residents on July 4 as part of a celebration of Americaβs 250th anniversary, Gov. Brad Little announced Friday, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.
βAs we prepare to mark 250 years of American independence, there is no better way to celebrate than by getting outside with our loved ones and enjoying the freedoms and natural treasures that deο¬ne our great nation,β Little said Friday. βIdahoβs state parks showcase the very best of our state, and we are proud to welcome families, friends and visitors to explore them free of charge during this special occasion.β
While day use fees for Idaho residents will be waived, normal camping and reservation fees will apply, officials said.
Idaho has 28 state parks, which offer a variety of recreational and outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding, skiing, bird watching, rock climbing, fishing, boating, swimming, bicycling and more.
State officials with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation are in the process of unveiling improvements and enhancements at several state parks, including Lucky Peak State Park outside of Boise, which recently opened a new dog beach and accessible kayak launch on the Boise River.
Other state parks include Bruneau Dunes State Park and Observatory, Harriman State Park, Bear Lake State Park and City of Rocks National Reserve, which is a national reserve and state park that attracts climbers from all over the world to its dramatic granite rock spires.
Little said the July 4 fee waiver is a part of a larger effort to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776.
Copyright 2026 KMVT. All rights reserved.
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.
Β
In a statement originally released on April 30th by the Nampa Police Department, officials advised the following:Β
We are not sure how the suspects are gaining access to the victimβs credit cards. There is a growing fraud scheme, βghost tappingβ, that scammers are using to access victimsβ credit cards. This is possibly occurring in these instances. βGhost tappingβ uses stolen credit card details in Apple Pay or Google Pay, then remotely relays the tap signal over the internet to a βmuleβ at a store, allowing them to make high-value purchases that appear completely legitimate. (Weβll 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.
Β
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,Β 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!
Inside The Arrest of 3 Venezuelan Fraudsters
What on earth was happening in Eagle this week?
Gallery Credit: Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
It’s Not Hard To See Why This Idaho Police Photoshoot Is Going Viral
The Jerome Police Department is going viral thanks to Twin Falls photographer, Layton Henderson. Once you see the hilarious photos, you’ll see why!
Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas
A powerful search engine that organizes and provides access to vast information on the internet.
-
San Francisco, CA11 minutes agoFallen tree downs powerlines in SF, delays Muni line
-
Dallas, TX17 minutes agoFC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake: Lineup notes π
-
Miami, FL23 minutes agoYour 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations
-
Boston, MA29 minutes agoTexas A&M SS Boston Kellner suffers orbital bone fracture
-
Denver, CO35 minutes agoPedestrian fatally hit by Frontier airplane departing Denver for Los Angeles, flight canceled after
-
Seattle, WA41 minutes agoSeattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business
-
San Diego, CA47 minutes agoDel Mar enacts new attendance rules for board, commission, committee members
-
Milwaukee, WI53 minutes agoMilwaukee Brewers Flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski Has Historic Night Against Yankees – World Baseball Network