Idaho's Continued Women's Health Crisis

IMA CEO Susie Keller Featured on The Ranch Podcast

In this episode of The Ranch Podcast, Susie Keller discusses the recently released JAMA study on the continued erosion of access to women's healthcare in Idaho. Since the Dobbs decision, Idaho went from having 268 OB-GYNs in the state to losing 114 and was only able to recruit 20 to the state for a net loss of 94. The peer-reviewed report goes into detail about what happened to those that left. Did they retire? Move out of state? Give up the obstetrics side of their practice? Idaho needs women's healthcare professionals, and understanding why we are losing OB-GYNs is a crucial step to retaining and enhancing our physician workforce.

IMA Foundation Announces Future Physicians of Idaho Award Winners

Eight future Idaho physicians, including three medical students accepted into Idaho residency programs and five residents starting practice in Idaho have received awards from the IMA Foundation. Award recipients have expressed their commitment to practicing medicine in Idaho and possess unique skills, knowledge and experiences to enhance their service in rural and/or medically underserved communities, among other criteria.

Foundation President Steven Kohtz, MD, and members of the IMA Foundation Board congratulate this year's Future Physicians of Idaho Award winners:

Medical Students:

• Maddie Bernardo, University of Utah School of Medicine, Full Circle Health/ Family Medicine Residency of Idaho;
• Jake Bruner, University of Washington School of Medicine, Full Circle Health;
• Zach Havlovick, University of Washington School of Medicine, Mountain States Institute of Graduate Medical Education and Research;

Residents:

• Andrew Baker, Idaho State University Family Medicine Rural Training Track, Brigham Young University - Idaho;
• Maria Carbonell, Full Circle Health, St. Alphonsus;
• Cody Cunningham, Idaho State University of Family Medicine, Idaho State University Family Medicine Program;
• Ryan Day, University of Washington Boise Internal Medicine, St. Luke's Health System,
• Morgan Ruiz, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Family Medicine, Valor Health.

Get involved: The IMA Foundation Board of Directors currently has openings for physician volunteers. If you are interested in contributing your time and expertise, please contact info@idmed.org.

The IMA Foundation is the 501(c)3 arm of the Idaho Medical Association. It supports Idaho's physician training programs and workforce via scholarships, organizational contributions, loan repayment, and other activities to support physicians starting their careers in Idaho. Physicians who wish to make a contribution to invest in the future of Idaho's physicians can text the word "GIVE" to 208-996-8776. Every contribution makes a difference.

Save the Date! Regional Medicaid Review Panel Meeting Sept. 3

The Medicaid Review Panel, made up by 11 legislators and co-chaired by Rep. John Vander Woude (R-Meridian) and Sen. Julie VanOrden (R-Pingree), was established in 2024 to review existing Medicaid contracts and make recommendations on key performance measures to be included in any future Medicaid contract. During the 2025 interim, the Panel is particularly focused on Idaho's transition to comprehensive managed care and has committed to several regional meetings to hear from providers. The first of those meetings has been scheduled in Twin Falls for September 3, 2025 with an exact location and time TBD.

IMA encourages you to attend. It is critical that the Medicaid Review Panel and the Department of Health and Welfare hear about the impact of the December 31 Healthy Connections sunset. Your recommendations and past experiences with managed care will help shape the direction of Idaho's transition.

IMA will keep members updated on the exact location and timing for the September 3 meeting in Twin Falls. Please email the advocacy team if you have follow-up questions or are interested in attending: cunnington@idmed.org.

Measles Cases Confirmed in Idaho

Idaho has confirmed its first measles case in a resident since 2023, in an unvaccinated child from Kootenai County. This marks the first confirmed case of measles in the northern Panhandle since 1991. State health officials previously reported a case of measles in an unvaccinated adolescent from another country visiting eastern Idaho (Bonneville County). These cases occur as we see a nationwide increase in cases. As of August 5th, there were 1,356 confirmed cases reported in 41 states.

The IMA Public Health Committee encourages IMA members to contact your local public health district in instances of suspected or confirmed measles cases. Your local public health district can help you understand and access appropriate testing (including PCR testing available through Idaho's state public health laboratory, the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories). In addition, public health professionals can advise regarding protection of others while test results are pending.

If measles is confirmed, public health workers can conduct contact tracing to identify and counsel people with possible exposure to the case. Unvaccinated individuals should be encouraged to get immunized through their regular primary care providers. In some locations, the public health district may be able to administer the MMR vaccines to susceptible, eligible contacts as post-exposure prophylaxis (i.e., when given within 72 hours of exposure) or to nonimmune individuals who wish to receive the MMR vaccine for prevention. To find your local public health district and relevant contact information, CLICK HERE.

Be a Part of the IMA Policy Process – Volunteer for a Reference Committee at the 2025 House of Delegates

As we gear up for the IMA House of Delegates (HOD) Meeting in beautiful Sun Valley on October 10-12, we are excited to highlight the pivotal role our Reference Committees play during this process.

Why Serve on a Reference Committee?

Being part of a Reference Committee provides a unique opportunity to participate in the formation of important policy decisions. During the resolution hearings held on Friday, delegates can testify in support of or opposition to resolutions. The Reference Committees then review this testimony and make recommendations to the HOD. These recommendations reflect the will of the House and play a crucial role in shaping the discussions on Sunday.

How to Get Involved:

• Express Your Interest: When registering for the Annual Meeting, simply check the box indicating your interest in serving on a Reference Committee. This is your chance to play an active role in our HOD process.

• Selection Process: Reference Committee members are selected to ensure diversity in demographics, specialties, geographic locations, and practice models. This ensures a variety of perspectives as they consider the broad range of testimony and resolution topics presented during the meeting.

• Eligibility: Only credentialed delegates registered for the meeting are eligible to serve on Reference Committees.

To learn more about the HOD, to register for the Annual Meeting, and make lodging reservations, visit our website.