Idaho's 2026 Session: Every Medicaid Policy Bill That Passed

Medicaid work and community engagement requirements by end of 2026

Requires the Department of Health and Welfare to implement Medicaid work and community engagement requirements no later than December 31, 2026, implementing provisions of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Participant compliance with work requirements becomes a condition of continued eligibility.

House 59–9 · Senate 28–6

Provider payment transparency and rate reductions for residential habilitation

Increases transparency around Medicaid rates paid to residential habilitation providers and supports appropriation reductions in that program — which pays more than $176.5 million in General Funds to help people with disabilities live independently. The most divided Medicaid vote of the session.

House 60–8 · Senate 19–15

Prior authorization exemption for rural physician preceptors

Exempts physicians who provide substantial preceptorship training to graduate medical students — particularly in rural and underserved communities, in primary care, psychiatry, or OB-GYN — from certain Medicaid prior authorization requirements. Took two House votes to pass.

House 44–25 (1st) / 39–30 (2nd) · Senate 19–15

Clearer process for changing Medicaid encounter rates at rural clinics

Establishes a formal statutory process for the Department of Health and Welfare to submit state plan amendments adjusting Medicaid encounter rates for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics when their scope of services changes.

Senate 33–0 · House 67–0