July 15, 2026

IMA Submits Letter Objecting to Midwifery Draft Rules

IMA submitted a letter to the Idaho Board of Nursing expressing concerns regarding the draft rules to implement HB 639. Specifically, IMA raised objections that the draft rules do not include a formulary with a list of medications that licensed midwives can obtain and administer. Therefore, the proposed rules do not conform with the requirements laid out in the statute.

Prior to July 1, 2026, Idaho statute included a list of drugs accessible to licensed midwives while prohibiting the use of other legend drugs. During the legislative session, HB 550 was proposed changing this standard, allowing broad leeway for licensed midwives to obtain and administer medications indicated for maternal or neonatal care if a midwife individually determines they possess the requisite education, training, and experience.

IMA worked with the bill sponsor on negotiated language to ensure that the new legislation contained specific standards for transparency and oversight, while providing a clear pathway for licensed midwives to propose future formulary updates. To that end, the bill language was modified to require a formulary and associated protocols be set through administrative rulemaking by the Idaho Board of Nursing. This negotiated legislation became HB 639 which was signed into law on March 19.

IMA has been monitoring the rulemaking process since May and the draft rules do not reflect the specified formulary and protocols.

IMA's letter to the Board of Nursing noted:

As currently drafted, we believe the proposed rules exceed what the statute allows and do not reflect the legislative compromise that was ultimately signed into law through HB 639. As passed, the statute states that, "The rules adopted by the Board shall define a formulary and protocol." The draft rules do not establish a formulary. Instead, they conditionally define the term "formulary" in a way that lacks transparency about the specific drugs that midwives are authorized to administer. That is a significant concern.

A formulary should clearly identify the medications authorized for use, providing transparency to the Board, providers, patients, and the public. This is the widely accepted, common understanding of the term "formulary." Without that specificity, we are concerned that the rules move beyond implementing HB 639 and instead create a broader framework the Legislature chose not to enact.

IMA will submit a detailed letter expressing concerns prior to the Board of Nursing quarterly meeting taking place on July 23. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with the Board of Nursing toward a solution that balances the ability for licensed midwives to practice to the fullest extent of their training and licensure while maintaining standards for safety and oversight.

Initiative to end Idaho's strict abortion ban qualifies for November's general election ballot

Idahoans United for Women and Families collected more than 110,000 signatures for ballot initiative that would also protect contraceptives, IVF access

By Laura Guido and Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun

July 13, 2026

The voter initiative seeking to end Idaho's strict abortion ban has officially qualified to appear on ballots in November, Idahoans United for Women and Families, the group leading the effort, announced.

Idahoans United for Women and Families turned in more than 110,000 signatures to the office on July 2, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

"We are just immensely proud of the foundation we have built, and to continue that outreach into the fall," Idahoans United Executive Director Melanie Folwell said in an interview. "We have known from early on this issue was deeply personal and had the ability to break through divisive partisan frames we are navigating nationally right now and certainly, very accurately here in Idaho."

"The thing about the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act is it speaks to a fundamental Idaho value and a fundamental American value that no matter our own personal beliefs, we ought not impose those on others," Folwell added. "When it comes to making the tough decisions in our lives and in our families, we call the shots and not the government. That is something that has resonated in every corner of the state."

In Idaho, a ballot initiative allows residents to directly propose and decide whether to enact a new law. To qualify for the ballot, initiative supporters must collect the signatures from a total of at least 6% of registered voters statewide, as well as 6% of registered voters in at least 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts.

In a press release, Idahoans United said more than 1,250 volunteers helped collect the 110,000 signatures, and Idahoans from all of the state's 44 counties signed the initiative's petition.

"The 110,000+ signatures on the Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act are the most collected for a qualified ballot initiative in Idaho history, over 1.5 times the 70,725 valid signatures required by law," the press release said.

The initiative would take a simple majority of votes in the Nov. 3 general election to become law. READ MORE

Grant Applications Open:

Rural Health Care Access & Rural Physician Incentive Program

The Rural Physician Incentive Program (RPIP) offers an opportunity for medical debt repayment for rural physicians practicing primary care medicine in Idaho federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The program is focused on physicians providing primary care medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. If there is a high level of need in an area, it may also include obstetrics and gynecology, general psychiatry, general surgery, and emergency medicine. Physicians may receive a maximum of $100,000 over a four-year period toward their academic debt.

The Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) exists to assist rural and underserved Idaho communities in improving access to primary medical and dental health care. RHCAP awards are up to $35,000 per year.

For more information and to apply, visit the Idaho DHW Loan Repayments and Grants webpage.

Applications are due August 30, 2026.

OIG Reports Probe Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Denials for Post-Acute Care

AMA National Advocacy Update

July 10, 2026

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released two reports detailing serious issues with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans' prior authorization (PA) denials for post-acute care. These investigations reinforce longstanding AMA concerns (including those detailed in a May 2024 letter) about inappropriate MA PA denials for post-acute care admissions and the need for greater oversight of plans' utilization management practices. PA-related treatment barriers are particularly devastating for vulnerable patients seeking post-acute care, as delaying services such as rehabilitation and physical therapy can negatively impact long-term clinical and functional status.

The first report studied PAs for admissions to long-term hospitals (LTCH) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) in June 2024 and found that:

• The three largest MA organizations by enrollment (CVS Health, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare) denied care at higher rates than most other MA plans.
• These three plans denied over 70% and 50% of PAs for LTCH and IRF admissions, respectively.
• MA plans overturned 36% and 43% of LTCH and IRF PA denials on appeal, respectively.
• Overturn rates varied considerably, with some plans, such as CVS Health, overturning over 80% of IRF PA denials.

In a companion report, the OIG evaluated MA plans' PA decisions for skilled nursing facility (SNF) admissions in June 2024 and found that:

• The collective denial rate across plans was 12%.
• While only 18% of denials were appealed, MA plans overturned 95% of these denials, suggesting that MA plans regularly withhold medically necessary post-acute care.

Both reports note the outsized role that naviHealth, a utilization management vendor, played in MA plans' denials of LTCH, IRF, and SNF care.

In both reports, the OIG recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluate the reasons for variation in denial and overturn rates between MA plans and take appropriate action. Importantly, the OIG also recommended that CMS collect service-level data regarding MA plans' PA programs, which reflects ongoing AMA advocacy (including a May 2026 letter) calling for increased granularity in plans' publicly reported PA metrics. To learn more about the AMA 's PA reform efforts, visit FixPriorAuth.org.

Register Now for 2026 IMA House of Delegates Meeting

Participation in this year's House of Delegates (HOD) meeting will be offered in-person and virtually to make it easier for IMA members to engage in our policy-making process! Active physician members who wish to participate in the HOD must register as a delegate.

Delegates attending in-person or virtually may present resolutions, provide testimony, submit amendments and vote on IMA policy during the meeting.

Please note that delegates must attend all or a majority of the Friday HOD meeting in order to qualify to vote at the Sunday HOD meeting. Be sure to plan on attending all sessions of the meeting if you would like to vote on Sunday.

To learn more about HOD and to register, visit our website.

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