Idaho
OPINION: Idaho Kids Covered report
December brings on the holidays, such a wonderful time of year. The kids come home. They cook and play music for us. Gifts are exchanged. A tree is harvested. It’s placed in the living room and decorated. The dog freaks out. We laugh together, and the feelings all around are good beyond description.
But then a troubling email appears in my inbox reminding me how much work we (Democrats and Republicans) have to do in Idaho to ensure this holiday feeling of safety and peace for the most vulnerable among us.
The email was from Idaho Kids Covered and it contained their 2023 report titled Idaho Maternal and Infant Health.
IKC is a statewide network of health care advocates and stakeholders working to assure affordable access to healthcare.
IKC monitors maternal morbidity and mortality outcomes, a job the Legislature did before terminating its Maternal Mortality Review Committee in 2021.
IKC’s report states that Idaho’s infant and maternal death rates are rising dramatically. For example, between 2019 and 2021, the infant mortality rate rose 18%, and the maternal death rate rose 121%.
That’s eye-popping.
In “almost every single health data metric included in their last report Idaho has continued in the wrong direction.”
One shocking statistic is the fact that Idaho ranks last among states in providing health coverage for low income pregnant and postpartum women.
If you know or love anyone who relies on Medicaid in Idaho, you know that qualifying and remaining qualified is a struggle.
That’s because our state imposes stricter than average income eligibility requirements and time limits on Medicaid recipients.
Idaho disallows anyone from Medicaid who earns more than $34,307 a year. That is $2,800/month before taxes for a family of three. Think about that for a minute.
From one month to the next, as a young woman’s job situation or housing situation changes, they could be without health care.
Moreover, Idaho Medicaid cuts women off after 60 days postpartum. This is exceptionally bad, because half of all pregnancy related deaths occur between 45 and 365 days after birth.
Given that 46 other states continue coverage for a full year, Idaho’s early cutoff is particularly shameful.
These bottom of the barrel statistics should not surprise us.
When the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, it freed states like Idaho to restrict women’s freedom.
Restrictions imposed by Idaho’s leaders limit women’s right to choose reproductive health care options, and force them further into poverty.
Restrictions imposed by Idaho’s leaders unnecessarily put women of childbearing age at great risk of morbidity and mortality.
What is worse, these restrictions imposed by Idaho’s leaders extend poverty to the next generation of Idahoans because they affect the children of young mothers.
We now have the numbers to prove it.
So, as we enter the holiday season, let us keep those folks in mind.
Contribute to efforts like The Press’ “Christmas for All.” Broadcast to your friends and family that you are a safe individual to discuss maternal mortality with. Reach out in whatever way you can to mothers who are struggling.
What’s more, getting involved politically has the power to change lives permanently, not just around the holiday season.
Throughout the holidays and into the New Year, let us vow to elect better leaders — people who are truly pro-life and not simply pro-fetus.
That’s how we build a more perfect union.
• • •
Evan Koch is chairman of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee.
IDAHO COUNTY, Idaho — Two people are dead following separate rafting incidents on Idaho’s Selway River over the weekend.
The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office received the first call just before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and was informed of an SOS activation up the Selway River, with CPR reportedly in progress. The area where the SOS was sent from is part of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area and is nearly 20 miles from the end of the nearest road.
Roughly 2 hours after the first call, around 3:40 p.m., Idaho County Dispatch received a 911 text from someone saying that a second person in their rafting group had flipped into the water. This incident was roughly 2 miles downstream from the first SOS location, according to a press release.
Life Flight responded to the scenes and confirmed the death of both individuals, but, due to the location, was unable to transport them out.
The next day, Two Bear Air used a helicopter winch system to retrieve both individuals from the canyon. They were then taken to Cedar Flats and turned over to the Idaho County Coroner. The names of the deceased have not been released while authorities notify their families.
The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Public Library is excited to announce the grand opening of its brand-new drive-thru pick up service, officially launching on Monday, May 12.
The city hosted a celebration on Friday with a ribbon-cutting. The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce participated in the event.
“The IFPL drive-thru is another step in making library services more convenient and accessible for the community,” said Robert Wright, Idaho Falls Library Director. “We’re excited to see it become part of our patrons’ everyday lives.”
Starting May 12, Library patrons can pick up materials without leaving their vehicle. The drive-thru on the east side of the library just north of the book drop, is accessible via Park Avenue. After returning any items in the book drop, patrons can continue straight into the drive-thru lane.
The service is open to all library card holders, including residents of Idaho Falls and non-residents who have purchased a membership.
How it works
Patrons can request items by:
- logging into their account, placing holds, and selecting “Drive-Thru Pick Up” under pickup options.
- calling the Library directly to place a hold
- calling the Library directly to request same-day pickup of a Library-selected bag of age-appropriate children’s books.
Pick-up process:
- Items, other than the bag of children’s books, are typically ready two business days after the request.
- Patrons will need to present a driver’s license at the window for verification.
- The pickup process takes just a minute or two.
“We’re making it easier than ever to access the world of books, learning, and imagination,” added library staff. “Whether you’re on a busy schedule or have kids in the car, the drive-thru is for you.”
The Idaho Falls Public Library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a 6 p.m. closing time on Friday. It’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, visit the website or call the Idaho Falls Public Library at (208) 612-8460.
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Idaho
Man allegedly involved in high-speed chase arrested by Idaho Falls Police SWAT team – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man wanted in connection to a high-speed pursuit Friday night was arrested Saturday evening after a SWAT operation at an Idaho Falls home.
Lucas James, 40, was taken into custody on a felony probation violation warrant.
He was located at a home on the 1700 block of Burlwood Drive. Police obtained a search warrant and SWAT officers approached the house with an armored vehicle called a Bearcat around 5:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.
RELATED | Authorities release additional details about two-vehicle crash in Idaho Falls
“When officers started making announcements, Mr. James attempted to flee out a back door,” the release says. “Unfortunately for Mr. James, he was met in the backyard by Idaho Falls Police Officers.”
James was taken to the Bonneville County Jail and faces additional charges from Idaho State Police related to the high-speed chase that ended with a two-vehicle crash on Yellowstone Highway and Pancheri Drive around 10 p.m. Friday.
Police recovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, and firearms from the vehicle James was reportedly driving.
The charges include felony eluding, three counts of felon in possession of a firearm, felony possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
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