Politics & Government

An Essential Guide To Idaho's Medicaid Program

In the world of social programs, Medicaid is one of the hardest to understand. It’s something of a catch-all program for low-income people, covering broad and divergent needs. Included are healthy children and adults with eligible dependent children, people with disabilities or special health needs, and the elderly. Eligibility is income-based and it varies according the category of qualification for the program.During the state’s 2011 fiscal year, more than three quarters of the funding allocated to the Department of Health and Welfare’s budget went to Medicaid. The program received about $1.55 billion in federal and state funding, with 74 percent of those dollars coming from the federal government.Enrollment in Idaho’s Medicaid program has grown substantially in recent years. The average monthly Medicaid enrollment was fairly stable between 2006 and 2008. It grew by about 3.5 percent. But in the last three years, the program’s enrollment has grown nearly 21 percent. Ballooning from about 185,000 in 2008 to 228,897 in 2012.

Gubernatorial Candidate Raul Labrador Says He'll Champion "Traditional Idaho Values"

Boise State Public Radio News

Published February 13, 2018 at 12:29 PM MST

Congressman Raul Labrador says he’ll fight to defend Idaho's right to define marriage, cut off federal funding to health clinics providing abortions, and support stronger gun rights if elected governor.

Calling it a plan to defend traditional Idaho values, among Labrador’s proposals are strengthening second amendment protections by way of stand your ground legislation and fighting marriage equality.

If elected governor, the outgoing congressman says he’ll work to ensure residents can legally use deadly force when their lives or property are threatened. Labrador says he’ll also reform the state’s mandatory prison sentence laws. He claims a one-size fits all approach can lead to low-level offenders becoming hardened criminals.

On social issues, Labrador says he’ll be a champion of traditional marriage and family values. A release from his campaign says Labrador will do everything he can to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Labrador says the ruling by the high court interfered with states’ sovereignty and their right to define unions. It’s unclear how Labrador could challenge the ruling.

He also advocates preventing Medicaid patients from using Planned Parenthood for health care services. Federal courts have blocked attempts to cut off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in six states, including Idaho’s neighbor Utah.

For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915

Gubernatorial Candidate Raul Labrador Says He'll Champion "Traditional Idaho Values"

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