Idaho Health and Welfare seeks $3.7 billion overall budget

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is seeking an additional $70 million from the general fund and $300 million overall that includes federal money for an 8.7% increase in next year's budget.

Director Dave Jeppesen on Monday told the Legislature's budget-setting committee the large increase is due to Medicaid expansion.

His request would boost the agency's budget to about $930 million from general funds.

The agency would also receive about $330 million in dedicated funds from such things as fees and licenses plus another $2.4 billion from the federal government for an overall budget of about $3.7 billion.