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Idaho is almost done removing Idahoans on Medicaid it flagged to remove
Correction: This story was corrected to reflect that Idaho pays $1.5 billion of Idaho Medicaid’s total $4.7 billion budget. The federal government pays $3.1 billion. The state of Idaho is almost done removing people from Medicaid who state health officials flagged — either for being ineligible for the program, or not replying to the state’s […]
Partnership links College of Eastern Idaho’s nursing programs, local hospitals through institute
Nurses in training at the College of Eastern Idaho have access to more training resources through a new partnership with local hospitals. Local leaders announced a new building for the Idaho Healthcare Institute on Thursday, a nonprofit organization that brings the nursing program new instructors and more clinical experience for students in Mountain View Hospital […]
Idaho State University expands nurse education program to North Idaho
Idaho State University is expanding its program that lets college graduates go back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The university announced in a news release on Thursday that its Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing degree program is headed to Coeur d’Alene. The program already trains students in Meridian and ISU’s main campus […]
Bundy, Rodriguez ordered to pay $52.5M for Idaho hospital harassment, jury rules
More than a year after anti-government activist Ammon Bundy and his supporters swarmed a Boise hospital, prompting a shutdown that diverted ambulances to other hospitals, a jury ordered Bundy, his associate Diego Rodriguez and a network of groups to pay $52.5 million in damages to Idaho’s largest hospital system and to the medical professionals they […]
Millions of dollars to combat opioid abuse are coming to Idaho
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct amount that Central District Health has spent from opioid settlement funds. It’s $61,000. Idaho government officials pledge to be transparent about how government agencies are spending millions of lawsuit settlement dollars to help combat opioid addiction and abuse. The Gem State has received $26 million […]
Idaho is planning transportation projects for the next seven years. You can weigh in.
Idahoans can weigh in on the state’s new plan to maintain and overhaul roads and other transportation infrastructure. The Idaho Transportation Department is requesting public comment by the end of this month on its seven year draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program plan — which includes more than 1,000 projects that add up to $4.85 billion. […]
New national 988 suicide and crisis lifeline helps more Idahoans
It’s been one year since anyone in the U.S. experiencing a mental health crisis could dial three numbers — 988 — and get connected with a trained crisis counselor. New numbers say it’s helped more people get the help they need quicker. The new national suicide and crisis lifeline connected 1-800 numbers that helped connect […]
Idaho looks to restructure Medicaid funding. But clear answers are hard to find.
Correction: This story was corrected to reflect that Idaho pays $1.5 billion of Idaho Medicaid’s total $4.7 billion budget. The federal government pays $3.1 billion. Idaho is looking at restructuring how it pays for Medicaid, a free health insurance program that insures about 458,000 Idahoans, costing taxpayers more than $1.5 billion in state funds and […]
In Idaho, half of people removed from Medicaid didn’t send state their info
More than 87,000 Idahoans – so far – are being removed from Medicaid coverage after expanded coverage from the pandemic has lapsed. A little more than half of Medicaid recipients who lost coverage — 48,857 — were removed because the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare either could not contact them or the Medicaid enrollees […]
As Idaho reports first heat-related death this year, here’s how to avoid heatstroke
A middle-aged Idahoan died from heatstroke on a difficult hike in southern Idaho recently, state health officials announced Friday. The death of a person between 40 and 60 years old, in low shade and temperatures in the 90s, was the first heat-related death reported in Idaho this year by the Idaho Department of Health and […]
Idaho awards $1.2 billion contract for behavioral health. Both losing bidders sue.
Idaho state agencies are facing two lawsuits after awarding a new, expanded $1.2 billion contract to manage behavioral health services statewide. The contract, which could change care as soon as next March, controls how more than 425,000 Idahoans — about one in five residents of the state — access behavioral health care. The new organization […]
Idaho WIC program raises income eligibility threshold guidelines starting July 1
Under new rules taking effect Saturday, Idaho families can make at least 7% more money per year and still qualify for WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children. The program providing free food to low to moderate income families is rolling out the new income thresholds starting July 1 to account […]