May 15, 2026

Idaho Secures $24M More in Settlement with Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma

By Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Capital Sun

May 8, 2026

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador's Office announced this week that the state is set to receive more than $24 million in the latest settlement with opioid manufacturers.

The settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, is set to dole out most of the funds within the first three years, but he distribution process will take more than a decade, the Idaho Attorney General's Office announced in a news release Wednesday.

"The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma made billions marketing opioids they knew were dangerously addictive, and Idaho families paid the price," Labrador said in a written statement. "They knew the damage they were causing and they did it anyway. Through this settlement, my office is recovering $24 million for Idaho, and we will keep pursuing pharmaceutical companies that profited from this crisis."

Since Labrador became Idaho's attorney general in 2023, Labrador's office said he secured over $127 million in opioid settlement funds. The Republican is running unopposed in the primary election but is set to face Lori Hickman, an attorney who's running as a Democrat, in the November election.

Idaho's opioid settlement money is funneled three ways: 40% goes to the state, 40% goes to counties and cities, and 20% goes to public health districts, So far, entities in Idaho have received $73 million, with nearly $30 million going to the state, according to the Attorney General's Office's website.

The Idaho Behavioral Health Council recommends to the governor how the state should spend its share. The council is accepting recommendations until June 5, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

IMA Statement on Immunization Schedules

Recent changes to the immunization schedule proposed by the CDC circumvented established vetting by vaccine experts and physician specialty organizations. Legal challenges by the medical community and further changes in the CDC's vaccine recommending structure have followed. These actions have created confusion for physicians, patients, and public health officials across the country.

The immunization schedules issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reflect decades of experience and safety monitoring coupled with the clinical expertise of physicians who provide the primary care for children and adults.

To provide clarity to physicians and the public on which immunization schedules are most evidence-based, the IMA Public Health Committee encourages the use of the AAP immunization recommendations for children and the AAFP immunization recommendation for adults.

American Academy of Pediatrics: Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedules for Ages 18 Years or Younger [publications.aap.org]

American Academy of Family Physicians: Adults 19+ Years Old [aafp.org]

Physician Assistant Scope of Practice Survey

With renewed interest in physician assistant (PA) scope of practice, the Idaho Medical Association is asking physician members for input to help shape our advocacy. Your perspective is essential as we begin meeting with the Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) and to ensure that changes to healthcare policy support patient safety and reflect the practical realities of delivering quality care throughout Idaho.

Physician members of IMA can keep an eye on their email inbox for a short survey. If you have not received the email with the survey link, please contact Mike Cunnington at Cunnington@idmed.org to request access.

We thank you for your time and input!

Adverse Event Disclosure; Communication and Early Resolution Programs

Join us on June 17th for this webinar from the IMA Education Series

Michael Anderson, CPHRM of MIEC Patient Safety & Risk Management will be speaking on the topic of physician wellness and support during and beyond malpractice claims.

As part of the discussion, he will review novel approaches to preventing malpractice claims, including early communication and resolution, and demonstrate how this approach can reduce both physician stress and liability while supporting patients who experience a treatment-related injury.

Presenter: Michael Anderson, CPHRM, MIEC

Audience: Clinicians, practice administrators, and staff involved in resolving adverse patient events

AAPC-Approved for one hour of CEU credit

AMA Discounted 2027 Medical Coding Books: Pre-Order Now!

The Idaho Medical Association is pleased to offer substantial discounts on resource materials for AMA and Optum360° books for your office. Order your CPT®, HCPCS, ICD-10, Code of Medical Ethics and other resource materials today! The Coder's Bundle includes the CPT 2027 Professional Edition and the 2027 ICD-10-CM Manual for one discounted price.

The 2027 Essential Reference Guide order form with the most popular choices is available HERE for your convenience.

Books will be shipped or hand-delivered to you as soon as they are available. Contact Rebecca at the IMA with any questions.

CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!

Idaho's New Law on Minor's Sex and Social Transitioning: FREE Health Law Webinar from Holland & Hart: Effective July 1, 2026, Idaho's new sexual and social transitioning statute will take effect unless the law is blocked by a court. The law prohibits health care providers from "aiding and abetting" a minor's sexual or social transitioning without parental consent. Violations may result in lawsuits by parents; civil penalties of up to $100,000 by the Attorney General, and adverse licensure actions. This free webinar takes place on Thursday, May 28th. For more information and to register, CLICK HERE.

IAFP Virtual Rural Workforce Forum: The IAFP Workforce Forum on Thursday, June 25th at 5:00 pm.PT/6:00 pm MT. We will be digging deeper into obstacles and solutions for delivery of rural OB care. Pre-Registration Required