There were lots of questions first, particularly from Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, but the House has voted unanimously, 68-0, to pass HB 656, the Idaho Hospital Assessment Act. The negotiated bill, which will last for two years, calls for private hospitals to pay an extra $25 million a year for Idaho's Medicaid program, which would then attract $100 million a year in federal matching funds for the program, which provides health coverage for the poor and disabled. The bill was anticipated when the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee set the budget for Medicaid for next year, which still faces tens of millions in shortfalls even after the infusion from hospitals. The bill now heads to the Senate.