Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's nearly-five-hour Medicaid hearing, at which Idaho's plan to $120 million from the program - including big cuts in services to the disabled - was roundly panned. People with disabilities, family members, providers and more…
"That wraps up our testimony," Rep. Janice McGeachin said after the 72nd person testified. "The House Health & Welfare Committee will plan to reconvene on Thursday." Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, complimented McGeachin for conducting a hearing at which he said those who testified "put a…
House Health & Welfare Chairwoman Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, just said she thinks if she keeps going - though it's nearly 6 p.m. Boise time - she can get through the entire list of those who have signed up to testify. Many of those being…
Deborah Cunningham said her son Matthew wasn't expected to live after he was born 5 weeks early, but he did. "My son has been a success story," she said. He went to kindergarten, grade school, junior high and high school. "Yes, he had a one-on-one…
Numerous people with disabilities have made personal pleas to the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees to reject HB 221 and not cut their services. Becky Woodhead, pictured here, told lawmakers, "Without the support, I don't know where I would be right now." She…
Ken McClure, lobbyist for the Idaho Medical Association, said, "There are good things in the bill. It brings some management and coherence to the expenditure of public funds. We believe it brings some opportunity for savings in a significant amount." But he said he signed…
Katherine Hansen, president of the Idaho Association of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, told the Health & Welfare committees that her group proposed various changes aimed at Medicaid savings, some of which were included in HB 221. But she said two changes in the bill aren't acceptable…
Paul Tierney, father of a 14-year-old son with autism, struggled to maintain composure as he urged lawmakers not to cut services that will help his son live as an independent adult when he grows older. "Cutting Medicaid is not the answer to the budget problems…
"I could live in a nursing home right now, but I choose to live and work in my community," James Steed, shown here, told lawmakers. He said he's on the Aged and Disabled Waiver due to physical disability, but has friends and people he works…
M.C. Niland, executive director of Witco, a non-profit community rehabilitation organization that provides services to adults and children with disabilities, told lawmakers she's also speaking on behalf of Access Idaho, a group that includes organizations like hers across the state. She urged the Health &…
Representatives of several providers and provider groups have testified that the clause of HB 221 that would transition individuals age 45 and older off developmental therapy and onto the Aged and Disabled Waiver program would actually move them, in many cases, to a more intensive…
Frank Roundy, who spoke with difficulty, brought a helper to the microphone who noted that Roundy is over age 45 and doesn't want to lose his services. Services he receives at a developmental disabilities center include both developmental therapy and adult day care, which allows…
"I ask you from my heart as a parent, re-evaluate," Karen Russell told the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees. She said her son is in a certified family home, but under the bill, might not qualify to remain there. Asked by Rep. Sue…
House Health & Welfare Chairwoman Janice McGeachin is consolidating testimony somewhat by asking those who are from the same family or business to choose just one person to speak for them. For example, six people who were signed up from Developmental Concepts Inc. chose just…
Sue Gann wiped away tears as she told lawmakers the story of her brother, who suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was 16 years old. "Next month, he is going to be 57," she said. "My parents have always taken care of him, his…
Kevin Nye told lawmakers he has a daughter with disabilities. Services like those proposed to be cut, he said, are how disabled people "find dignity, being able to have self-worth" and live independently, rather than in institutions. "Sometimes we don't stand up for those things…
Kelly Keele of Transitions DDA told lawmakers, "There's an extreme shortage of psychiatrists in Idaho, and yet this bill would require all psycho-social rehabilitation services to be authorized by one. This will effectively mean no more PSR for most Idahoans." He said, "And now we…
Gregory Dickerson, administrator of Human Supports of Idaho and chairman of a regional mental health council, told the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees that HB 221, as written, would push more patients into more-expensive institutional care. He urged the lawmakers to hold the…
Rep. Janice McGeachin, House Health & Welfare chairwoman, said the hearing today will run no later than 6 p.m., and if the committees need to reconvene to hear more public testimony on Thursday, they will do so. The first to testify was Vickie Garcia, who…
So far, 107 people have signed up to testify against HB 221, the Medicaid cuts bill, and just three to testify in favor of it. The three are Steve Millard of the Idaho Hospital Association; Rick Holloway of Western Health Care and Brett Waters of…
Even as the hearing has begun this afternoon on Medicaid cuts, hundreds still are waiting in line outside to sign up to testify. The Capitol Auditorium, the state's largest hearing room, is full; some people are standing at the back; and overflow rooms are being…
Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, is presenting HB 221, the Medicaid budget-cuts bill, to a joint hearing of the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees. "Basically, the only way to reduce general-fund spending in Medicaid is a combination of a variety of things," she…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how the Idaho House gave final passage today to SB 1108, a far-reaching bill that removes most of teachers' existing collective bargaining rights, sending the measure to the governor's desk and marking a big win…
Here are the nine Republicans who joined all House Democrats in opposing SB 1108: Reps. L. Smith, Trail, Wills, Bolz, Collins, Eskridge, Nesset, Schaefer, and McGeachin. After the vote, Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, said he doesn't like the idea of tenure. But, he said, "The…
The House has voted 48-22 in favor of SB 1108, the teacher contracts bill, which now goes to the governor's desk. Nine Republicans joined every Democrat in the chamber in opposing the bill. Since it's now 12:20 p.m. Boise time, the House will adjourn for…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
