A Fair and Friendly Look at What's Happening in the 2016 Legislature
Legislative Update
February 8-12, 2016
Joint Health and Welfare Committees Hold Listening Session
Before 7:00 a.m. this morning more than 100 people had gathered to participate in the House and Senate Health and Welfare committees joint listening session. The committee allowed the public to testify on any issue related to health and welfare concerns. 

They heard testimony on issues related to expanding Medicaid, improving the mental health system (especially for children), concerns with the foster care system, Medicaid reimbursement rate for home health care, dental hygiene issues and suicide rates.

At the conclusion of the two hour session the joint committee had heard from approximately 30 individuals. There were seventy five who wanted to testify. Senator Heider and Representative Wood thanked the group, acknowledged that there were some real problems that needed to be addressed and both assured the group that they had been heard loud and clear.

The recording of this listening session can be heard hear in a few days. Click on the House or Senate standing committee. Or, read some of the coverage from the Spokesman Review reporter Betsy Russell here.
Primary Care Legislation is Introduced

Department of Health and Welfare Director Dick Armstrong presented Governor Otter's Primary Care Access Plan to the House Health and Welfare Committee this week. The committee voted unanimously to introduce the legislation and it will come back for a full hearing.

This is the $30 million a year proposal, that provides some basic primary and preventive care services to those individuals who fall into a coverage gap, making too little to qualify for subsidized health insurance on the state insurance exchange, and do not qualify for Medicaid.

To read more about this plan click here. 
Foster Care Reform Gaining Momentum

Foster care parents in Idaho are speaking up about how the system in Idaho is not serving the best interests of the children in foster care. Many foster parents say the current state system overemphasizes placements with relatives and that the state is not taking into consideration what is in the best interests of the child.

During today's joint Health and Welfare listening session, many foster parents testified that the current system is not working and needs reform. Representative Wood mentioned that there is a significant piece of legislation that is being prepared that will come forward on this subject. 

The Idaho Statesman published an article this week and it can be read here. And, KTVB had coverage on the issue as well, and it can be viewed here.

A Facebook page has also been created called Idaho Foster Care Reform. You can read many personal stories from foster parents and those who were foster children. Within days of being created the page has over 1,350 followers.To access the Facebook page, click here.
Faith-Healing Exemption For Medical Care For Kids

Governor Otter and child advocacy groups have expressed concern over Idaho's faith-healing exemption for medical care for children. Currently in Idaho, a parent has the right to deny medical care to their children if they feel it interferes with their religious beliefs. 

The Governor is concerned with the number of children who die because their parents choose faith healing and not medical assistance for religious reasons.

On Thursday he asked House Speaker Scott Bedke and Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill to form a legislative interim committee to review the protection of children in the face of religious exemptions from medical care. He wants to know how Idaho can protect the children, but at the same time respect the religious preferences of parents that may be against medical attention.

KIVI TV ran coverage that can be viewed here.
Upcoming Events
February 23
Consortium For Idahoans Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol
Contacting Your Legislator
Your legislator is happy to hear from you. Here are a number of ways to contact your legislator.

If you are not sure who your legislators are, you can check by going to the Legislature's website at: http://legislature.idaho.gov/who'smylegislator.htm .

You can contact your legislators in a variety of ways. 

Here are the basic ways to communicate with legislators:

TELEPHONE CALLS: During the legislative session, you can call the Legislature and have a message delivered to your legislators. You will be asked to provide your name and contact information. Here are the phone numbers to use:

Local: 208-332-1000
Toll Free: 800-626-0471
Fax: 208-334-5397
Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471

PERSONAL VISITS: During the legislative session, you are encouraged to visit your legislators in person at the Capitol. You can attend and participate in committee hearings. You can visit personally with your legislators. You can observe the House and Senate in action.

If you want to visit with a legislator, you can go to either the House or Senate lobby and the door keeper will have a page hand deliver a note to your legislator who will then come out to speak to you (time allowing).

LETTERS: You can send letters to your legislators. Do not count on a reply. They try their best, but, again, they are inundated with information and requests. They appreciate your input, and it will be considered. 

(Name)
Idaho State Legislature
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho
83720-0038 (House) 
83720-0081 (Senate)  

All mail must contain your name and address or phone number.

E-MAILS: The Legislature has a website which allows you to e-mail your legislators directly. Once you know who your legislator is, you can select them by name at the following web address:

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbyname.cfm

Or contact them by district at the following web address:

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbydistrict.cfm

Idaho Fiscal Facts

To learn more about Idaho's facts, figures and trends the Idaho fiscal Facts document is a good source of information.  Click here for the pdf.
Tracking Legislation

If there is legislation that you want to follow, there is a a nice tool offered by Legislative Services that help you know where in the process a bill is. Click here and log in to establish your own personal bill tracker for 2016.
Update Archives
Community Partnerships of Idaho | 208-376-4999 | bibiana.nertney@mycpid.com| www.mycpid.com