Among those testifying thus far at this morning’s public hearing on health and welfare issues have been numerous advocates of expanding Medicaid in Idaho; counselors and survivors of suicide attempts pleading for better mental health care funding in Idaho; foster parents pressing for reforms; and Medicaid services providers urgently pressing for increases in reimbursements. Many spoke with deep emotion; some were interrupted briefly by tears.

“Idaho ranks in the top 10 in suicides,” counselor Sean Nixon told the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees. “We’ve been as high as No. 1 in the last 10 years. … The money is available – the money is there. We need more funding for mental health services in Idaho.”

Kerry Hong of the Idaho Supreme Court’s administrative offices said he was invited to share information by Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow on the potential impacts of Medicaid expansion on people who participate in Idaho’s problem-solving courts. “The judiciary is respectful of the policy domain of the Legislature,” he said. “The courts do have an interest in behavioral health issues as they pertain to reducing recidivism, protecting our communities and rehabilitating offenders.” Currently, only about 9 percent of those participating in Idaho’s problem-solving courts are eligible for Medicaid, he said, though many have behavioral health treatment needs. Both for that population and people released to Idaho communities on probation and parole, he said, “Expanded eligibility for Medicaid … may assist in their rehabilitation.”

Kevin O’Sullivan told the lawmakers, “You may do many things if you forget about your politics and focus on the people who sent you here. Just close the gap with the Healthy Idaho plan.”