The next deadline for Idaho to apply for a federal grant to fund work on a health insurance exchange falls in mid-August, state Insurance Director Bill Deal told lawmakers this morning, but Idaho still hasn't decided whether it wants a state-run exchange, a federally-run one, or a partnership. Therefore, he said, "We have declined to submit a grant application at this particular time, which again puts us a little bit more behind the time with the funding need, should we make that decision. So the next opportunity for a grant is November. I think whichever way Idaho would move ... we're going to need some money from the federal government. So that's our next opportunity, is in November."

In 2011, Idaho received a $20.4 million federal grant to start work on a state-run health insurance exchange, but the 2012 Legislature declined to accept the money, and now it's gone.