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Jerome Today
By the People, for the People
Idaho Lawmakers Propose $22M Medicaid Cut for Disabled Adults
Local bowling league steps up to support community amid funding uncertainty
Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:54pm
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A proposed $22 million Medicaid cut in Idaho has caregivers worried about the impacts on adults with disabilities. In response, a local woman in Jerome has started an independently funded bowling league called "The Forgotten Ones" to provide a space for adults with disabilities to come together and enjoy themselves.
Why it matters
The proposed Medicaid cuts would reduce funding for programs that help adults with disabilities live independently in Idaho. This raises concerns among caregivers and advocates who already struggle with limited resources to support this community. The bowling league highlights how local community members are stepping up to fill gaps left by the state.
The details
House Bill 863 aims to cut almost $22 million in Medicaid funding for programs that help adults with disabilities in Idaho. State lawmakers say Medicaid currently pays more than $176 million in general funds to support independent living for people with disabilities. The proposed cut is worrying caregivers like Jaclynn Vargas, who has been the full-time caregiver for her brother Justin since she was 16 years old. Two years ago, Vargas started an independently funded bowling league called "The Forgotten Ones" to provide a space for adults with disabilities to come together and enjoy themselves.
- House Bill 863 is awaiting the governor's signature.
- Vargas started the bowling league "The Forgotten Ones" two years ago.
The players
Jaclynn Vargas
A full-time caregiver for her brother Justin, who has a disability. She started an independently funded bowling league called "The Forgotten Ones" to support adults with disabilities in the community.
Justin
Jaclynn Vargas' brother, who has a disability.
Dan Reutter
A caretaker for league members Brian and Loretta, who participate in "The Forgotten Ones" bowling league.
Brian
A member of "The Forgotten Ones" bowling league.
Loretta
A member of "The Forgotten Ones" bowling league.
What they’re saying
“I want to have one of the representatives have a day in their life— have an hour. These adults are forgotten, they are, and that's completely a fact, and they're just getting more forgotten because they're quiet and they don't know how to complain.”
— Jaclynn Vargas, Caregiver
“Yeah!”
— Brian, Bowling league member
“We scrape up our change most of the time, and yeah, that would hurt them definitely.”
— Dan Reutter, Caretaker
What’s next
The governor of Idaho is expected to decide on whether to sign House Bill 863, which would cut $22 million in Medicaid funding for programs supporting adults with disabilities.
The takeaway
This story highlights how local community members are stepping up to support adults with disabilities amid uncertainty around state funding. The independently funded bowling league provides a vital space for this community to come together and enjoy themselves, underscoring the importance of grassroots efforts to fill gaps left by proposed budget cuts.
