Jordan Redman — Jordan Redmond introduces himself and presents the bill, then responds to follow-up questions about its purpose and mechanics. He explains that the measure is intended as code cleanup and documentation, aimed at tracking hospital utilization and uncompensated care through reporting/self-reporting, and clarifies that the bill is meant to capture costs associated with people without legal status.
Jordan Redman — Representative Wheeler was invited to close after testimony, then responded to a question about addressing Ms. Shipley’s concern by saying he was open to working with Representative Leavitt and Ms. Shipley on a separate bill rather than sending the matter to general orders. The committee then confirmed that Wheeler would carry House Bill 494 and House Bill 531 on the floor.
Dori Healey — Representative Dori Healey is called on and participates in the motion to introduce the bill.
Dori Healey — Made the motion related to House Bill 531.
Lori McCann — Representative Lori McCann makes a lighthearted interjection and then raises a related concern about counties potentially having to absorb costs, forming one brief, continuous exchange.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Josh Wheeler of District 35 is recognized, introduces himself while presenting House Bill 494, and then responds to questions during the discussion. He addresses concerns about costs, including background-check-related expenses, and notes that he has brought a colleague who can help answer the specific cost question.
Josh Wheeler — Introduced House Bill 531 and identified himself as Representative for District 35.
Josh Wheeler — Presented House Bill 531 and explained it modernizes statute to reflect advances in epinephrine delivery systems.
Josh Wheeler — Explained that a parent raised concerns about needle anxiety and supported nasal spray as a more comfortable option.
Josh Wheeler — Joked that Representative Wheeler cannot use props on the floor.
Josh Wheeler — Referenced as having noted that many people are afraid of needles.
Josh Wheeler — Referenced again in connection with needle fear.
Megan Egbert — Representative Megan Egbert is recognized and then follows up on a question about whether all hospitals that accept Medicaid would need to add immigration-status language to their forms, including how the requirement would apply to patients such as self-pay individuals.
David Leavitt — Representative David Leavitt is recognized and then moves to introduce RS 33186.
David Leavitt — Representative Leavitt asked whether the bill could be sent to general orders so it could potentially be amended to address Ms. Shipley’s concern. In response, Representative Wheeler welcomed working with him on a separate bill. Leavitt then said he would stick with the initial motion and vote in support of it, while still wanting to continue working on the issue in the future.
Jared — Is invited to answer the question about background-check costs.
Brittany Shipley — Brittany Shipley testified in support of House Bill 531 as a parent of a child with a rare medical condition. She explained that her son uses a glucometer prescribed by a specialist for a non-diabetes condition and said diagnosis-specific language could delay needed care. Drawing on her experience working with schools through a district policy committee, she asked the committee to amend the bill so blood glucose monitoring would be allowed when prescribed by a licensed medical provider for medical necessity, not solely for diabetes.
Alicia Jordan — Alicia Jordan, a registered nurse and school nurse with 22 years of experience and leadership roles in school nursing organizations, testified in support of House Bill 531. She explained that schools currently use epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPens, but recommended that the bill allow all epinephrine delivery systems. She described how fear of needles and the difficulty of restraining a student can delay life-saving treatment, noted that newer nasal epinephrine options are available and that sublingual epinephrine is being considered by the FDA, and urged the committee to pass the bill with broader language to accommodate these emerging delivery methods.
Alexis Morgan — Alexis Morgan of the Idaho PTA introduced herself and testified in support of House Bill 531, explaining that the bill updates the code to reflect modern FDA-approved intranasal epinephrine options for schools. She said alternative delivery methods can reduce hesitation to administer medication and lower the risk of needle-stick injuries, especially in school settings where front office staff often respond first. She also noted that intranasal epinephrine is available free to K-12 public and private schools through the Neffy in Schools program, and closed by requesting a due pass recommendation for the bill on behalf of Idaho PTA.
Ms. Shipley — Ms. Shipley raised a concern that became the focus of discussion. Representative Wheeler noted this was his first exposure to the issue, and the committee then discussed whether the bill should be amended to address her specific concern or whether it should be handled in a separate bill.
Cornel Rasor — Mentioned in a joking remark not to 'inspire' him.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel made a brief privilege announcement to inform the committee about a Medicaid listening session being held later that day at the Lincoln Auditorium at 4:00 p.m.