Idaho Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Repeal Medicaid Expansion

The bill would remove coverage for roughly 90,000 Idahoans starting in 2028.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Idaho Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to repeal the state's Medicaid expansion, which was approved by nearly 61% of voters in 2018. The bill would end Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2028, removing coverage for approximately 90,000 Idahoans. The move comes as the state legislature is pushing for deeper spending cuts, including to Medicaid disability services.

Why it matters

Medicaid expansion has been a contentious issue in Idaho, with some Republican lawmakers arguing it is straining the state's budget. However, advocates warn that repealing expansion would rip away healthcare coverage from tens of thousands of Idahoans and go against the will of voters who approved it through a ballot initiative.

The details

The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Jordan Redman, is being pitched as an alternative to cutting Medicaid disability services. Committee chairman Rep. John Vander Woude said the repeal bill was brought forward after the committee delayed a vote on nearly $22 million in Medicaid disability service cuts. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Ben Fuhriman, expressed concerns that the shift to the state's insurance exchange would not adequately replace the coverage lost from repealing expansion.

  • The bill was introduced in the Idaho Legislature on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • Medicaid expansion would be repealed on January 1, 2028 under the proposed legislation.

The players

Jordan Redman

A Republican state representative who introduced the bill to repeal Medicaid expansion.

John Vander Woude

The Republican chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee, who asked Redman to bring the repeal bill after the committee delayed a vote on Medicaid disability service cuts.

Brad Little

The Republican governor of Idaho, whose budget proposal included $22 million in Medicaid cuts but did not target Medicaid expansion.

Ilana Rubel

The Democratic House Minority Leader, who argued that repealing Medicaid expansion would cost the state more in the long run.

Hillarie Matlock

The policy director for Idaho Voices for Children, who criticized the bill for ripping away healthcare from 90,000 Idahoans.

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What they’re saying

“Are we going to prioritize the most vulnerable way, in which Medicaid was originally set up for? Or are we going to look to continue with Medicaid expansion?”

— Jordan Redman, State Representative (dailyfly.com)

“We have to decide whether we're going to make our priorities those with disabilities or those without. And this is the only other option I have.”

— John Vander Woude, House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman (dailyfly.com)

“This bill will rip health care away from 90,000 Idahoans who rely on Medicaid expansion and have no other option for coverage. Idahoans voted for their neighbors to have healthcare — 61% approved Medicaid expansion. Ignoring that and taking coverage away goes directly against the will of the voters.”

— Hillarie Matlock, Policy Director, Idaho Voices for Children (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The bill could return for a public hearing soon, and the House Health and Welfare Committee will decide whether to move it forward.

The takeaway

The debate over Medicaid expansion in Idaho highlights the ongoing tensions between Republican lawmakers seeking to cut state spending and advocates who argue that repealing expansion would harm vulnerable residents and go against the will of voters. The outcome of this bill could have significant implications for healthcare access in the state.