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This week, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke discusses managing fire and water issues alongside the federal government. Then, Rep. Jordan Redman and Rep. Megan Egbert share their views on Medicaid Expansion and its future in Idaho. Two things can be true at once: Medicaid Expansion was a lot more expensive than anticipated, and a lot of Idahoans depend on the program for their healthcare. So what’s next?

Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 p.m. on Idaho Public Television

Last year also saw the culmination of a long-simmering water fight in eastern Idaho. A looming water shortage prompted senior water right holders to threaten to withhold the ability of junior rights holders to use their water, at least until the senior rights holders used their share. Ultimately, stakeholders worked out an updated agreement that involved, among other things, prioritizing recharge efforts in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

Multiple Idaho state lawmakers say they received emails this week purporting to be from constituents in their districts encouraging them to repeal the sales tax on groceries. The issue? The people with names on many of those emails claim to never have sent them.

Idaho needs approval from the federal government to implement many of the policy changes — like work requirements, capping expansion enrollment, and kicking people off Medicaid expansion after three years — that the latest bill would require.

Under current law, Idahoans with disabilities are in jeopardy of no longer qualifying for Social Security Income if they have more than $2,000 in accounts, which discourages them from saving for expenses or medical care that isn’t covered by insurance.

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Idaho Reports on Idaho Public Television is made possible through the generous support of the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, the Friends of Idaho Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.