Overview of the Repeal Bill
Idaho Republican lawmakers introduced a bill on March 9, 2026, to repeal the state’s Medicaid expansion program. The bill would end Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2028, removing roughly 90,000 Idahoans from the health insurance public assistance program. Rep. Jordan Redman of Coeur d’Alene sponsored the measure. The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee voted 10–6 to advance the bill following less than 20 minutes of debate.
This move marks a major shift in Idaho politics. In 2018, nearly 61% of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion through a ballot initiative designed to close a health care gap for the working poor. Prior repeal efforts in the Legislature never advanced far. This time, however, budget pressures are pushing lawmakers to act.
Why Idaho Lawmakers Introduced This Bill
Budget Cuts Drive the Decision
State lawmakers are pushing for deeper, across-the-board spending cuts — including to Medicaid disability services — after approving years of tax cuts that reduced the state’s revenue by more than $4 billion. Against that backdrop, Rep. Redman framed the repeal as a forced choice. “Are we going to prioritize the most vulnerable, in which Medicaid was originally set up for? Or are we going to continue with Medicaid expansion?” he asked the committee.
A Delayed Disability Bill Triggered the Move
Last week, the House Health and Welfare Committee shelved a bill that would have cut nearly $22 million from a Medicaid disability service called residential habilitation. That delay led committee chairman Rep. John Vander Woude of Nampa to ask Redman to introduce the repeal bill instead. “We have to decide whether we’re going to make our priorities those with disabilities or those without. This is the only other option I have,” Vander Woude said.
DOGE Task Force Recommendation
The Legislature’s DOGE task force recommended repealing Medicaid expansion late last year. Furthermore, before this legislative session started, Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle said he was open to a repeal. These signals indicate that momentum for rollback has been building for months.
What Repeal Means for Idaho Residents
90,000 People Lose Coverage
The human cost of this bill is significant. As of last month, 79,418 Idahoans were enrolled under the expansion program. To qualify, a single-person household must earn less than $22,032 annually, or $45,540 for a family of four. These are working adults who earn too much for standard Medicaid but too little for private insurance.
Tax Credits Offered as Alternative
The bill’s fiscal note states that people removed from Medicaid expansion will be eligible for tax credits to purchase health insurance on the state exchange. However, Rep. Ben Fuhriman of Shelley expressed doubt that this transition would actually occur. “I feel like this is going down a road that is going to cause a lot more harm than the money it saves,” he said.
Budget Debate: Would Repeal Save Money?
Supporters Cite Ballooning Costs
Idaho’s share of Medicaid expansion costs has significantly exceeded initial expectations, rising from $32 million in projected costs in 2018 to $110 million in fiscal year 2026. Rep. Lucas Cayler of Caldwell argued that expansion “is absolutely going to blow out the budget in this state.”
Analysts Say Repeal Costs More
Opponents, however, contest that math. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, a Boise Democrat, pointed to an analysis by the Department of Health and Welfare and a University of Idaho economist’s report showing the state would face a net loss of at least $20 million over any potential savings. Additionally, Idaho Voices for Children estimates a repeal would cost the state $143 million as costs shift back to other General Fund programs.
Safety Net Gap: No Replacement Plan
Old Programs Were Already Repealed
A critical concern is that Idaho dismantled its previous safety net when Medicaid expansion took effect. After expansion passed, the Idaho Legislature repealed the county indigent health program and the state Catastrophic Health Care Fund, also known as the CAT Fund. Redman’s repeal bill does not include plans to reinstate either program.
Mental Health Consequences Already Visible
Budget-driven cuts have already resulted in deaths. Within less than three months of Idaho cutting its mental health treatment program, three patients died. Advocates warn that eliminating expansion coverage without a safety net replacement will produce similar harm at a much larger scale.
Opposition Voices Speak Out
Advocates Warn of Voter Override
Critics argue the repeal directly contradicts the democratic will of Idaho voters. “This bill will rip health care away from 90,000 Idahoans who rely on Medicaid expansion and have no other option for coverage,” said Hillarie Matlock, Policy Director for Idaho Voices for Children. “Idahoans voted for their neighbors to have healthcare. Ignoring that goes directly against the will of the voters.”
Some Republicans Also Object
Some Republican lawmakers indicated that repeal would be a hasty move before the state had reviewed other cost-saving options. Rep. Dori Healey of Boise voted against introducing the bill. She said the recently enacted work-requirement reforms need more time to show their impact. “I feel like we need to see where those cost savings make an impact in our state and that this is extremely hasty,” she said.
What Happens Next
The committee’s official vote was to hold the bill until March 11. A public hearing could follow shortly after. Meanwhile, Gov. Brad Little has said he would not support repealing Medicaid expansion, though he stopped short of promising a veto. The bill still faces a long road through the full Legislature before it could reach the governor’s desk.
