Idaho Lawmakers Approve Medicaid Budget, Reject Governor's Proposed Cuts

State legislature's budget committee votes to enhance Medicaid funding, avoiding $22 million in cuts proposed by the governor.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Idaho Legislature's budget committee, JFAC, voted to approve a Medicaid budget of $5.54 billion for the next fiscal year, rejecting the governor's call for $22 million in cuts. The committee voted down proposals that would have planned for the governor's proposed cuts, with lawmakers criticizing the cuts as short-sighted. Nearly two months into the legislative session, Idaho has not advanced bills to cut Medicaid services despite the governor's budget plan calling for reductions.

Why it matters

The decision by Idaho lawmakers to avoid Medicaid cuts comes as the state has faced ongoing debates over the future of its Medicaid program, including previous efforts to repeal Medicaid expansion. The rejection of the governor's proposed cuts signals a potential shift in the legislature's approach to Medicaid funding and highlights the political tensions around healthcare policy in the state.

The details

JFAC ultimately approved a range of Medicaid budget enhancements totaling roughly $493 million, setting the program's budget a few million dollars over what the governor had recommended. The committee rejected two proposals that would have planned for the governor's proposed $22 million in cuts, with lawmakers arguing the cuts were short-sighted and could negatively impact Medicaid services.

  • The Idaho Legislature's budget committee, JFAC, voted on the Medicaid budget on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • The governor's budget plan calling for $22 million in Medicaid cuts was proposed months before the current legislative session.

The players

Brad Little

The governor of Idaho who proposed $22 million in Medicaid cuts in his budget plan.

Chris Bruce

A Republican state representative from Kuna who proposed a motion that did not plan for Medicaid cuts, which was ultimately approved by JFAC.

Josh Tanner

A Republican state representative from Eagle who is a co-chair of JFAC and criticized the cut proposals as short-sighted.

Kevin Cook

A Republican state senator from Idaho Falls who proposed a motion to split the governor's proposed $22 million in cuts across different Medicaid service areas.

Melissa Wintrow

A Democratic state senator from Boise who proposed a motion to cut the state's Medicaid service claims estimate by $22 million without making any service cuts.

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What they’re saying

“To think that also now we're going to have a cost decrease is kind of, in my opinion, throwing every logic out the window.”

— Josh Tanner, JFAC co-chair (dailyfly.com)

“I just want to be more transparent with the people about what we're spending.”

— Chris Bruce, State Representative (dailyfly.com)

“This motion is about harm reduction. We have already cut the hair so much beyond the buzzcut. We're doing scalp removal here.”

— Melissa Wintrow, State Senator (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The Medicaid enhancement budget items approved by JFAC will now be drafted into a bill for consideration by the full Idaho House and Senate.

The takeaway

Idaho lawmakers' rejection of the governor's proposed Medicaid cuts signals a potential shift in the state's approach to healthcare policy, as the legislature seeks to avoid reductions in services despite ongoing debates over the future of Medicaid in the state.