BOISE, ID – Idaho Democratic legislators are planning four events in February to hear from Idahoans who may be affected by potential Medicaid cuts.

Senate Democrats on Monday called on the state budget committee leaders to hold public hearings on cuts to the Department of Health and Welfare. When the leaders said no, Idaho Democrats planned a series of town hall events, starting with a forum at 4-7 p.m. Feb. 4, in the Lincoln Auditorium at the state Capitol in Boise.

Senate minority leaders Melissa Wintrow, James Ruchti, and Janie Ward-Engelking sent the letter to co-chairs of the Joint Finance-Appropriation Committee, JFAC.

“Idahoans deserve to be heard before their health care is taken away,” Wintrow said in a written statement. “Republicans are moving forward with Medicaid cuts while refusing to hold public hearings for the people who will live with the consequences.”

The remaining events will be held:

• Pocatello — Saturday, Feb. 7, hosted by Sen. James Ruchti
• Hailey — Friday, Feb. 13, hosted by Sen. Ron Taylor
• Moscow — Saturday, Feb. 14, hosted by Rep. Megan Egbert

More details on the times, locations and how to participate will be available soon, according to a press release from the Idaho Democratic Joint Caucus.

Announcement comes amid call for further Medicaid cuts

As the state faces a projected budget shortfall, many lawmakers are looking to reduce Medicaid services and spending.

Gov. Brad Little in his budget proposal called for $22 million in cuts to Medicaid, offering options for service cuts, such as dental coverage and home-and-community-based care for people with disabilities, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

Little also included in his budget about $23 million in reductions to Medicaid through an extension of the 4% doctor reimbursement cuts first approved in August in response to the projected state budget shortfall.

On Thursday, budget-writers asked agency heads to create a plan for additional cuts to Medicaid of up to 2%, or $19.9 million, the Sun reported.

JFAC leaders say it’s up to policy committees to hold hearings

While it’s not typical for the budget committee to take public testimony, it’s not unprecedented, the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter.

“… in 2011 and again in 2012, JFAC held public hearings concerning the budgets for both public schools and health and welfare,” the letter said. “These events provided essential opportunities for the public to share how proposed reductions would impact their daily lives.”

Wintrow previously asked during a JFAC meeting for more opportunities to hear from those who would be affected by potential Medicaid cuts.

JFAC, unlike policy committees, doesn’t regularly hold public hearings. Members hear from budget analysts, agency directors, and sometimes the heads of germane committees related to budgets they are considering.

“It’s not really JFAC’s role,” JFAC co-Chair Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, said in a phone interview.

Tanner said the budget writers will hear from the chairs of the House and Senate Health and Welfare committees, which will hold hearings on policy bills related to Medicaid.

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.