BYU-Idaho: Health infrastructure can’t support students on Medicaid

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Brigham Young University Idaho says it does not think the local medical community and infrastructure could support thousands of students who might use Medicaid expansion to provide basic health insurance.

In a statement Wednesday, BYU-Idaho said that is why it decided the school would require its students to purchase private insurance policies to meet its insurance waiver requirements.

The university continues to encourage students to find insurance coverage "best for them." It says the BYU-Idaho Student Health Plan would continue to be an option, effective with the winter semester 2020.

Students and family members who previously qualified for a Medicaid waiver will be contacted by the university to help them find access to other healthcare coverage.