Medicaid Funding Includes Reversal Of Key Cuts

Idaho Public Television

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning approved a $1.9 billion Medicaid budget

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning voted in support of a $1.9 billion Medicaid budget.

That appropriation includes $1.5 million to reverse two key Medicaid cuts approved last year.  It will cost $900,000 to rectify the dual choice problem, according to Division of Medicaid estimates.  Reinstating preventative and restorative dental services for adults who are eligible for an institutional level of care through Medicaid will cost about $640,000.

Rep. Shirley Ringo (D-Moscow) favors those changes, but said they don’t go far enough.  “I think we’re dealing with a squeaky wheel here, because the disability community really had a lot of advocates to speak up for them,” she said.  “I still have concern for people who don’t belong to that category and do not have the money to afford to visit the dentist, when needed.  I think we all recognize the value of preventive care, so i think there’s a little more work to do in that area.”

The House yesterday gave unanimous support to Rep. Janice McGeachin’s bill to restore funding.