Idaho Families Speak Out Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts

Democratic lawmakers host public forum to address concerns over budget reductions and impacts on vulnerable populations

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Idaho Democratic lawmakers hosted a public forum where parents and caregivers voiced concerns about how proposed Medicaid budget reductions could negatively impact vulnerable populations across the state. Lacey Protopoppus, a mother of two children who rely on Medicaid, said the cuts could stall her son's progress and lead to him needing more services as an adult. Lawmakers said they are looking for ways to reduce services without eliminating programs, but caregivers argued that even reductions can be devastating.

Why it matters

The proposed Medicaid cuts in Idaho have sparked concerns from families and caregivers who rely on these services to support vulnerable populations, including children with special needs. The forum provided an opportunity for the community to directly engage with lawmakers and advocate for preserving critical Medicaid funding.

The details

Democratic lawmakers hosted a town hall where parents and caregivers expressed worries about how Medicaid budget reductions could impact their families. Lacey Protopoppus, a mother of two Medicaid-reliant children, said the 4% cut has already affected her son's care, reducing the hours and proximity of his services. Republican Senate Health and Welfare Chairwoman Julie VanOrden said lawmakers are looking to reduce services without eliminating programs, but caregivers argued that even reductions can be harmful.

  • The public forum was held on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • In August 2025, Governor Little ordered a 3% hold back on public agencies following projected budget shortfalls.
  • The 4% Medicaid rollback was implemented by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

The players

Steve Berch

A Democratic House representative who stated that if anyone claims there is not enough money to fund Medicaid, they are not telling the truth.

Lacey Protopoppus

A mother of two children who rely on Medicaid, who expressed concerns that the proposed cuts could negatively impact her children's progress and lead to them needing more services as adults.

Julie VanOrden

The Republican Senate Health and Welfare Chairwoman, who said lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce services without eliminating programs.

Thea Fuhs

A direct support professional working under Medicaid's home and community-based services, who said that even reductions can be devastating.

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What they’re saying

“If anyone tells you they don't have enough money to fund Medicaid, they are not telling the truth.”

— Steve Berch, Democratic House representative

“He's made incredible growth in the year and a half that he's been on services. His growth is going to stagnate, it's gonna slow down. It's not going to be at the same rapid growth that it's been at, which will put him at a higher risk of needing services when he's an adult.”

— Lacey Protopoppus, Mother of two Medicaid-reliant children

“If we have to do something, we would rather reduce than remove any programs. There are some programs that might call for three individuals to go out on a call to help somebody. They said, 'how about if we just send two.' That will save on that budget. It will reduce but it won't remove that.”

— Julie VanOrden, Republican Senate Health and Welfare Chairwoman

“We're doing everything we can, but any other cuts would be devastating.”

— Thea Fuhs, Direct support professional

What’s next

Lawmakers are continuing to explore ways to reduce Medicaid services without eliminating programs, and are open to input from the community on potential cost-saving measures.

The takeaway

The public forum highlighted the deep concerns of Idaho families and caregivers who rely on Medicaid services, underscoring the need for lawmakers to carefully consider the impacts of any proposed budget cuts on vulnerable populations and engage in transparent, collaborative decision-making processes.