Idaho

Medicaid expansion is officially on the chopping block at the Idaho legislature

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

Medicaid expansion is officially on the chopping block at the Idaho legislature

Idaho lawmakers are beginning the work to repeal the state’s voter-approved Medicaid expansion program.

The House Health and Welfare Committee introduced the bill Friday morning, which would end health coverage for more than 85,000 Idahoans.

Those who qualify under Medicaid expansion earn too much to enroll in traditional Medicaid and too little to qualify for a federal health insurance subsidy through the state exchange.

It’s expected to cost the state nearly $98 million under Gov. Brad Little’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. That’s 10% of the state’s share for all Medicaid programs.

“We’re on a trajectory that I just don’t think that we can afford to continue and I do think we need to take a closer look on how this is funded, what the programs are,” said Rep. John Vander Woude (R-Nampa), who introduced the bill.

The federal government currently covers 90% of the bill for Medicaid expansion, something Vander Woude and other critics of the program worry will be reduced in future years.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) pushed back during the bill’s introductory hearing. She said cutting Medicaid expansion entirely would actually cost Idaho more in the long run.

“There have been huge savings throughout the system in corrections and behavioral health. Certainly in terms of all those funds we had to [pay for] before to ensure we don’t lose all our rural hospitals,” Rubel said.

Previously, counties and the state partnered to cover health care costs for indigent residents beyond an $11,000 deductible each year known as the Catastrophic Health Care Cost Program, or CAT fund.

Residents needed to apply for the funds and be approved before receiving coverage.

Vander Woude acknowledged his bill would not reinstate the CAT fund, though something similar could be proposed in the future.

“I wasn’t crazy about the CAT fund when we had it and I’m still not crazy about it now. I believe that we may have to develop some programs later that will incur some costs if this moves forward,” he said.

Rubel and her counterpart leader in the Senate, Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise), issued a statement after the hearing blasting the bill as “in service to extremist ideology…”

“[Medicaid expansion] has saved countless lives and has protected thousands of Idaho families from financial ruin and health disaster. Our duty as legislators is to protect the will and wellbeing of the voters,” they wrote.

The bill could receive a public hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee, which Vander Woude chairs, as early as next week.

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Idaho

Gas prices expected to exceed $3 as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices expected to exceed as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

BOISE, Idaho — AAA is warning Idaho gas consumers that pump prices will likely rise as the conflict in Iran disrupts oil and gas supply chains worldwide.

The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East will likely push the price for a gallon of regular gasoline past the $3 mark over the coming days.

“On one hand, the crude oil market had time to account for some financial risk in the Middle East as forces mobilized, but a supply shortage somewhere affects the global picture,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “If tankers can’t move products through the region, there could be ripple effects.”

On Monday, March 2, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.97, reports AAA, which is 12 cents more expensive than it was a month ago but 20 cents less than this time last year.

State / Price: 1 gallon of regular gasoline

Washington / $4.37
Oregon / $3.92
Nevada / $3.70
Idaho / $2.97
Colorado / $2.89
Montana / $2.82
Utah / $2.74
Wyoming / $2.73

In terms of the most expensive fuel in the nation, Idaho currently ranks #14. However, buying a gallon of regular gas in neighboring states such as Oregon and Washington could cost a whole dollar more. In contrast, gas prices in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming are anywhere between 15 to 24 cents cheaper than fuel in the Gem State.

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 1, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 1.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 7-2-3

Night: 2-7-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 4-7-9-3

Night: 8-7-7-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 1 drawing

03-06-07-33-41

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

Idaho News 6

“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”

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