IMA Thanks Senator Crapo for Medicare Protections

On the Fourth of July, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" - a sweeping budget reconciliation package - was signed into law. While the final legislation included disappointing provisions related to Medicaid and medical student loans, IMA helped secure a meaningful, if quiet, victory. Thanks in part to our advocacy and with the steadfast support of Senator Mike Crapo, Medicare physician payment reform was included.

Originally, the budget reconciliation bill passed by the House included strong Medicare physician payment reform provisions, notably a 75% Medicare Economic Index (MEI) inflation update in 2026, followed by annual 10% MEI increases in subsequent years. However, during Senate negotiations, there were efforts to remove this reform language. IMA was alerted that it had indeed been stripped away entirely. We acted swiftly, drafting a letter to Senator Crapo urging him to defend the reform provisions.

Senator Crapo, a long-time advocate for fair Medicare reimbursement, took our concerns to heart. Our message was clear, and it echoed his own: Medicare's current payment model is inadequate. Inflation-adjusted physician payments under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule have declined, even as operational and staffing costs continue to rise. inaction could lead to fewer participating providers, longer wait times, and care delays - especially for seniors and patients in rural areas.

We have since learned that our correspondence helped influence the Senator's successful push to reinstate modified Medicare payment reform language in the final bill. While not as expansive as the original House version, its inclusion is a significant step forward. IMA sincerely thanks Senator Crapo for his leadership and ongoing commitment to meaningful Medicare reform that strengthens access to care for Idahoans and beyond.

DEA Alert: New Scam Letters and Calls Target Medical Practitioners

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning registrants of new fraud schemes in which scammers impersonate DEA personnel and notify registrants that they are under investigation, presumably in an attempt to obtain personal information.

DEA has recently received reports of false letters and phone calls being used to contact both DEA registrants and non-registrants. It is not the DEA's practice to call registrants regarding investigative matters.

If you are contacted by a person purporting to work for DEA and stating that you are under investigation, please report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. You may also wish to submit the incident to the Federal Trade Commission, which takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and shares information with more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies. For any victims who have given personally identifiable information like a Social Security number or DEA registration number to a scammer, go to www.identitytheft.gov to learn how to protect against identity theft. Reporting these scams will help authorities find, arrest, and stop the criminals engaged in this fraud.

As a reminder, DEA personnel will never contact registrants or members of the public to demand money or any other form of payment, will never request personal or sensitive information, and will only notify people of a legitimate investigation or legal action in person or by official letter. In fact, federal law enforcement officers are prohibited from demanding cash or gift cards from a member of the public.

The best deterrence against these bad actors is awareness and caution.

'End the Ban:' Idaho Organizers Start Gathering Signatures for Abortion Rights Ballot Initiative

Idahoans United hopes to qualify initiative for November 2026 general election, after Legislature refuses to amend state's strict abortion ban

July 3, 2025

By: Kyle Pfannenstiel

The rallying calls were familiar.

Despite dangerous pregnancy complications, women are being denied emergency abortions. Doctors are leaving the state. And politicians shouldn't be involved in sensitive health decisions.

But one part of the pitch was new: Instead of asking state lawmakers for a fix, Idahoans can sign on to establish their own state law.

Despite calls for change in the three years Idaho's Ban has been in place, including the by the state's top medical association, Idaho lawmakers have largely refused to modify Idaho's strict abortion laws. READ MORE

Registration Now Open for 2025 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 the HOD, to register for the Annual Meeting, and make lodging reservations, visit our website.