Bill Description: House Bill 912 would require the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to implement stringent Medicaid work requirements and comprehensive program oversight no later than December 31, 2026 as to match new federal Medicaid standards under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025).
Rating: +5
Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?
By directing DHW to implement stringent work requirements, it is projected that the Medicaid expansion population will shrink. Curtailing the scope of the welfare state inherently reduces the scope of government, and government interference in the health care market.
(+1)
Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?
By directing DHW to implement stringent work requirements, it is projected that the Medicaid expansion population will shrink. Medicaid Expansion is the quintessential example of wealth redistribution from taxpayers to welfare recipients. By increasing the eligibility standards for Medicaid Expansion recipients, this legislation would contribute to reducing government redistribution of wealth. It would also contribute to the basic idea of justice and the position of our Founders, that an able-bodied adult should not be provided assistance if they are not at least willing to work.
(+1)
Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?
By directing DHW to implement stringent work requirements, it is projected that the Medicaid expansion population will shrink. This will reduce expenditures.
(+1)
Medicaid Expansion Work Requirements and Eligibility System Changes amount to additional spending of $3,829,100. While an increase in spending, these expenditures are not objectionable as the work to limit the program and safeguard and save Idaho taxpayer money. Savings are projected to exceed expected costs many times over, reducing the Medicaid Expansion population by a possible 26% (according to a recent study) over 10 years, amounting to hundreds of millions in savings.
(0)
Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?
Legislation directs The Department of Health and Welfare to issue two reports. The first directs the department to submit quarterly reports to legislature and governor on “compliance rates, number and type of exemptions granted, and the impact on medicaid enrollment.”
A second annual report shall be made publicly available on DHW’s website with information including the estimated fiscal impact of the work requirements and the number of enrollees removed or flag due to enrollment in multiple states.
The issuing of these reports increases government transparency and accountability, especially in such a large and costly program.
(+1)
Does it violate the spirit or the letter of either the United States Constitution or the Idaho Constitution? Examples include restrictions on speech, public assembly, the press, privacy, private property, or firearms. Conversely, does it restore or uphold the protections guaranteed in the US Constitution or the Idaho Constitution?
One of the requirements in the proposed legislation is that the DHW “shall verify citizenship or immigration status prior to enrollment and shall conduct regular cross-checks of applicant and recipient information against federal databases, including the systematic alien verification for entitlements program.”
Maintaining the state of Idaho and the United States’ sovereignty is the fundamental reason for which the Constitution was created. All else is secondary to sovereign action, including the protection of rights. One cannot guarantee rights if one has no freedom of action. By prohibiting illegal immigrants and other transient foreigners from obtaining healthcare benefits funded by the taxpayer, this legislation meaningfully protects American sovereignty.
(+1)
Does it violate the principles of federalism by increasing federal authority, yielding to federal blandishments, or incorporating changeable federal laws into Idaho statutes or rules? Examples include citing federal code without noting as it is written on a certain date, using state resources to enforce federal law, and refusing to support and uphold the tenth amendment. Conversely, does it restore or uphold the principles of federalism?
This legislation refers to requirements established by several federal laws. However, the legislation says that these requirements must be established no later than December 31, 2026, implicitly protecting against future changes to these requirements.
(0)
