Health Care

Mental Health, Preventive Care, And The Debate Over Medicaid Expansion In Idaho

Molly Messick — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:41:24 +0000

When the 2013 legislative session wraps up, a big policy question will remain: Will the state make Medicaid available to a greater number of Idaho’s poor? The federal health care law encourages that move. It’s a debate that involves potential costs and savings, along with patient well-being. And it turns quickly to chronic conditions, like mental illness.

Idaho Lawmakers Asked To Consider Statewide Alzheimer’s Plan

Samantha Wright — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:38:55 +0000

Last year, we told you about a group of stakeholders working together to create a state plan to help Alzheimer’s patients and their families. The Idaho Alzheimer's Planning Group has now released that plan.

NPR Report Takes Stock Of Grain Bin Deaths Across U.S. Including Idaho

Sadie Babits — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:32:01 +0000

This week an NPR series has focused on worker deaths in grain storage bins around the country. Now the Justice Department and others are beginning to respond. NPR reports Friday the Department will again consider criminal charges in a case of a boy who died in a grain bin three years ago in Illinois.

Idaho has had its share of tragedies in grain bins.

Idaho House Could Be In For Lengthy Debate On Health Exchange

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:51:57 +0000

The Idaho House of Representatives could be in for a marathon debate over the latest state-based health insurance exchange plan. The discussion will start Wednesday morning, less than a month after the Senate spent nearly six hours debating a similar proposal.

Idaho Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill joked Tuesday the debate in the House over an online insurance marketplace could be twice as long since that chamber has double the Legislators.

Government Sues Over St. Luke's Acquisition Of Nampa Practice

Scott Graf — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:31:06 +0000

The Treasure Valley’s largest healthcare provider reacted Tuesday to a decision from the Idaho Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission to sue over a deal the agencies think would stifle competition.

Republican Lawmaker Wants To Expand Medicaid In Idaho

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:32:00 +0000

A Republican lawmaker says he will bring forward a bill to expand Idaho's Medicaid program this week. That's after Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said lawmakers should wait on the issue.

Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-Bone) plans to introduce two bills on Thursday.

One would dissolve Idaho's Catastrophic Health Care Program. That's the program that helps medically indigent Idahoans who don't qualify for state or federal health care aid.

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline Needs More Funds To Take Calls At Night

Frankie Barnhill — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:11:03 +0000

Less than three months after its launch, the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is expanding its hours. Starting today volunteers will take calls Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

So far, the suicide hotline has taken about 160 calls since November. Executive Director John Reusser says there’s no question the hotline has helped many Idahoans in crisis.

Reusser says the hotline’s next goal is to launch a marketing campaign to connect with people around the state. That campaign will likely begin next week.

Idaho Residents Share Worries Over Medicaid, Mental Health, and Dental Care With Lawmakers

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:40:50 +0000

Dental care for low-income adults. Help for physical and mental disabilities. Expanding Idaho’s Medicaid. Those were some of the issues that came up during a public hearing Friday during a joint meeting of the Legislature’s Health and Welfare Committees.

Report: Idaho Latinos Face Disparities In Weight, Health Care

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:58:59 +0000

A new report finds Latinos in Idaho are struggling with many of the same health problems as the rest of the state’s population - but to an even worse extent. The wide-ranging demographic study is intended to guide policymakers on issues that affect Hispanics.

Overall, the findings paint a picture of a Hispanic population that's young and mostly born in the U.S. About half speak English at home and Latinos in Idaho are more likely to own their home than Latinos in other states.

The Ideological Tug-Of-War Continues Over Creating An Idaho Health Insurance Exchange

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:16:32 +0000

The debate among Idaho lawmakers started in earnest Tuesday over whether the state should create its own health insurance exchange.

Authorities Seek Tougher Penalties For False Labeling Of Fish

Tom Banse — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:54:44 +0000

When you order that special filet at a restaurant or store, you're often going on trust that the fish actually is what the menu or label says it is. In Washington, two state agencies are asking for tougher penalties to deter seafood fraud.

Authorities Seek Tougher Penalties For False Labeling Of Fish

Tom Banse — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:48:01 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. - When you order that special filet at a restaurant or store, you're often going on trust that the fish actually is what the menu or label says it is.

Flu Season Difficult To Track In Idaho

Samantha Wright — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:32:03 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the flu is now widespread in 47 states, including Idaho. Doctor Leslie Tengelsen is Idaho’s deputy state epidemiologist. She says the flu season has arrived early this year.

Idaho Medicaid Could Grow By 70,000 Recipients In 2014

Samantha Wright — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:01:28 +0000

Whether or not Idaho expands Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act, the state needs to pour more money into the program.

Flu Widespread Across The Nation, Including Idaho

Samantha Wright — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:09:18 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today said the flu is now widespread in 47 states. That's up from 41 states the week before.

Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, Idaho’s deputy state epidemiologist, says the Gem state is no exception. “We’ve seen a steady rise in hospitalizations, doctor’s visits, so flu is here.”

St. Luke's Plan To Buy Saltzer Can Continue

Associated Press — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:39:02 +0000

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a plan by St. Luke's Health System to buy Saltzer Medical Group can move forward for now.

The Idaho Statesman reports that U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction by Saint Alphonsus Health System and Treasure Valley Hospital.

One Idaho Senator Supports Idea of Health Insurance Exchanges But Has Concerns

Samantha Wright — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Idaho's governor announced yesterday the state should build its own health insurance exchange rather than go with a federally- run model. Exchanges are online marketplaces that allow consumers to assess health insurance plans. Under the Affordable Care Act, every state must have one by 2014.

Some States Making Progress On Health Exchange

Samantha Wright — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:38:14 +0000

Idaho has until the end of the week to decide whether or not to build its own health insurance exchange. But some northwest states are already well on their way toward creating such an online marketplace.

How Obamacare Creates An Insurance Industry Ad Blitz

Molly Messick — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:22:02 +0000

One of Blue Cross of Idaho’s new television commercials opens with a chirpy jingle. “You’re protected in the sun, you’re protected when it rains,” the song begins. The pitch is clear: this is the insurer for you, no matter your lifestyle.

Free HIV Tests In Canyon County For World AIDS Day

Samantha Wright — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. In response, Southwest District Health will offer free HIV tests today in Caldwell.

The seven Idaho Health districts report more than 1,300 people in Idaho are currently living with HIV or AIDS. Those are the people who know they have the infection. Health officials want to reach people who haven’t been tested, and may be infected.