Medicaid expansion bill starting point for interim committee

Legislation to help pay for Medicaid expansion in Idaho by redirecting money that counties spend to pay medical bills for uninsured residents who seek medical care has been introduced.

The House Health and Welfare Committee on Friday voted 10-0 to OK the legislation that Republican Rep. Fred Wood sponsored but said will advance no further this session.

Wood, the committee’s chairman, said that instead an interim committee will possibly be formed next week to study the issue and the legislation presented Friday will be a starting point for that committee.

Voters authorized Medicaid expansion with an initiative in November that passed with 61 percent after years of inaction by the Idaho Legislature.

Currently, the House and Senate have two competing bills involving Medicaid expansion. The House version includes work requirements while the Senate version has a voluntary work component.