Preparing for the 2026 State Legislative Session

As we get closer to the start of the legislative session, we’re hearing more chatter about budget concerns with state revenue coming in under projections, leading to temporary budget reductions being made permanent.

These cuts will impact Medicaid programs significantly. Already there has been a 4% provider rate cut implemented. We are also likely to see other budget challenges such as updates to the Medicaid information systems (the computer software and data programs that help track Medicaid populations) and obstacles as we move to a managed care system for all Medicaid programs and implementation of work requirements. The legislature will also be reconciling House Bill 345 passed in the 2025 session, with H.R.1, the federal legislation passed by congress that will have significant impact on Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act program funding.

In addition to monitoring Medicaid, we are also working to build a strong coalition around our Cardiac Emergency Response Plan policy. We have started to build momentum as we see interest growing behind the effort to ensure schools have emergency plans in place to deal with sudden cardiac arrest, including CPR certification and easy access to AEDs. This relates to our other policy effort to ensure all emergency telecommunication specialists (often known as 911 dispatchers) in Idaho are trained to instruct bystanders in hands only CPR when they call for help. As state emergency systems are upgraded, we are hoping to move telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) forward at the same time, bringing our Nation of Lifesavers mission to Idaho.