Idaho

New bill aims to address doctor shortage in Idaho, bring changes to WWAMI program

Published

12 months ago

March 13, 2025

New bill aims to address doctor shortage in Idaho, bring changes to WWAMI program

BOISE, Idaho — A new bill aims to bring changes to Idaho’s partnership with the University of Washington and expand more education options for medical students. House Bill 368 also addresses the doctor shortage in Idaho.

“We do have a physician shortage in the state of Idaho, and I love that the legislature is recognizing that and they’re motivated to make changes,” says Boise-based Doctor Joie Florence.

The bill would require the State Board of Education to create a plan to address the shortage. Specifically, it would remove 10 seats reserved for Idaho medical students at the University of Washington by 2027 while adding up to 30 new seats at the University of Utah.

“We know WWAMI produces good doctors, that’s not the issue. The issue is if we’re gonna invest more, how do we make that investment? How do we diversify our interests and how do we prioritize dollars being in Idaho,” says bill sponsor Representative Dustin Manwaring (R).

Manwaring says that though the bill would pull seats away from the existing WWAMI partnership, overall it means growth for Idaho.

“We’re going to net at least 20 new undergraduate medical education seats that the state would invest in in Idaho. So we’re not contracting, we’re expanding the opportunities, we’re expanding the program partners,” says Manwaring.

“I got to train here in Idaho, in my home state,” says Dr. Joie Florence, who attended medical school at Idaho WWAMI.

“I was part of a class of 30 so I watched the expansion take place… now we’re at 40. I’m very concerned at moving backward,” added Florence.

Now, she helps teach Idaho WWAMI medical students and feels the program is in a unique position to train new Idaho doctors.

“The University of Washington partnered with Idaho WWAMI has this excellent infrastructure, this network of doctors, all through the state of Idaho, and throughout the whole WWAMI region… University of Utah doesn’t have that yet,” Florence explained.

Representative Chris Matthias (D) — who voted no on Wednesday morning — argued the bill, as it is currently written, likely won’t address Idaho’s shortage.

“It is not going to lead to more physicians, removing medical education seats prematurely, before we know whether the University of Utah is ready to bring on all these students and make sure they have clinical sites in Idaho to train them,” says Matthias.

“Now is not the time to potentially disrupt our pipeline of physicians to Idaho,” says Florence.

House Bill 368 is now on its way to the house floor for consideration.

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Idaho

Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

Published

8 hours ago

February 28, 2026

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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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Idaho

Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules

Idaho takes pride in being a no-THC zone. Unlike our neighbors on all sides, the Gem State has taken a firm stance not to legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational use for years. This opposition long extended to the legalization of hemp, a plant relative of marijuana with far lower levels of the intoxicating chemical […]

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on Feb. 26, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

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The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on Feb. 26.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Day: 9-8-5

Night: 3-0-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Day: 9-8-4-2

Night: 9-7-2-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

04-21-25-30-34

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

03-14-22-50-57, 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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