Dive Brief:
- Last week, Idaho Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter (R) revealed a plan to provide a basic level of health coverage for people who currently fall outside qualifications for Medicaid or health plan subsidies.
- Otter said he would seek approval of the $30 million program during the legislative session that begins today.
- While state legislators have agreed a solution is needed, the Republican-led legislature has rejected Medicaid expansion under the ACA.
Dive Insight:
Critics note, and Otter himself concedes, the plan is only a partial solution. As a result, some suggest it will actually cost the state more than if it would go along with a Medicaid expansion plan and accept federal funding.
The program would cover some primary care services including acute care and management of chronic conditions. However, it would exclude hospital stays, ER services, and specialty care.
"We believe this is an Idaho solution to try to provide for those folks in the gap," Otter told the Associated Press. "Is it a total solution? I would be misleading you if I said it was."
The program would pay providers $32 per month for each enrollee. While legislators showed support, there were no promises it would be passed, the AP reports.