U.S. House Panel Passes GOP Plan that Cuts Medicaid by $625B, Adds Work Requirements

About 10.3 million people would lose access to Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program under the proposal, CBO estimates

May 14, 2025

By: Jennifer Shutt, Idaho Capital Sun

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House panel in charge of overhauling Medicaid by cutting hundreds of billions in federal spending wrapped up debate on its bill Wednesday, following a 25-hour session.

The Energy and Commerce Committee voted 30-24 along party lines to sign off on the legislation, sending it to the Budget panel, which is expected to bundle it together with the other 10 measures Friday to create Republicans' "big, beautiful bill."

The full House is set to vote on that package next week, though GOP leaders need to make sure nearly all of the chamber's 220 Republicans support the overall bill in order for it to pass. READ MORE

"Why Doctors Are Not Choosing Idaho"

IMA Member Perry Brown, MD, Featured on The Ranch Podcast

Dr. Perry Brown is the program director for the Full Circle Health pediatric residency in the Treasure Valley. Dr. Brown and his fellow residency program directors are seeing increasing hesitancy on the part of trainees and practicing physicians as they consider whether to live and work in Idaho.

In this illuminating interview, Dr. Brown shares reasons potential recruits have given for choosing to practice or complete their training elsewhere. Spoiler alert: One theme cited by recruits that stood out among the others is the criminalization of medicine and the conflict between state laws and nationally recognized standards of care. Click HERE to watch the full episode on YouTube.

The Ranch Podcast, hosted by Eagle resident Matt Todd, is conversational and informative, encompassing a broad spectrum of topics in a non-confrontational format that invites viewers to hear from speakers with varying perspectives on issues impacting the daily lives of Idahoans. Audio-only episodes are available through Apple Podcast and Spotify.

Trump Administration Asks to Dismiss Suit by 3 GOP States, Including Idaho, Trying to Limit Abortion Pill

Case challenging federal government's 2000 approval and prescribing guidelines for medication abortion began in 2022

May 6, 2025

By: Jennifer Shutt, Idaho Capital Sun

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice wrote in a legal filing released Monday that three GOP-led states attempting to overturn federal prescribing guidelines for medication abortion have sought to keep a case going in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The filing is significant since it appears to indicate the Trump administration will defend the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision nine years ago to broaden access to mifepristone. The Biden administration also sought to keep the newer prescribing guidelines intact.

Idaho, Kansas and Missouri want a federal judge to let them intervene in a case that's already been to the U.S. Supreme Court, so they can argue the FDA erred when it updated prescribing guidelines for mifepristone in 2016.

The goal is to get those changes thrown out so use of mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, reverts to what was in place between 2000 and 2016.

That would cap medication abortion at seven weeks gestation instead of the current 10 weeks and patients seeking medication abortions would need to attend three, in-person doctor appointments. Medication abortion would no longer be available via telehealth and it could no longer be legally mailed to patients. READ MORE

Open Door Session on Coding, Billing & Compliance: Ask the Experts!

Join us on June 11th for this session from the 2025 IMA Education Series  

You're invited to this interactive, open-door session with Jana Weis, Principal, and Nicole Benson, Audit Manager of Gill Compliance Solutions

Do you have unanswered questions around E/M coding, billing rules, or compliance concerns? Join us for an informal and highly interactive session designed to give you direct access to expert insights. Whether you're navigating the nuances of complex coding, struggling with gray areas in documentation, or unsure how to support provider education efforts, this is your chance to ask.

Audience: Coders, providers, and staff who review, code, and/or assist in provider coding, education, and/or auditing.

AAPC-Approved for one hour of CEU credit