Melissa Wintrow — Responds to questions about the bill and its exemption from status verification.
Melissa Wintrow — Explains the scenario in response to Senator Blaylock's question.
Melissa Wintrow — Responded to questions in the exchange.
Melissa Wintrow — Explains where VOCA monies go and how crime victims compensation is used.
Melissa Wintrow — Says she sponsored the bill that created the fund for sexual assault forensic exams.
Melissa Wintrow — Explains that the fund was created to avoid billing insurance for sexual assault forensic exams.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Melissa Wintrow introduced Senate Bill 1267 and explained that it concerns Medicaid for workers with disabilities. She described the bill as directing the department to prepare for federal changes, create a study and implementation path with stakeholders, and help ensure people can keep working past age 65 without losing the program or facing higher premiums. She emphasized the program’s role in supporting independence and noted that the federal delegation supported lifting the age cap, while Idaho’s bill prepares for implementation. She also clarified that Medicaid, not Medicare, covers long-term care and home- and community-based services, and invited further testimony and questions.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Melissa Wintrow participates in a sustained discussion of the bill, explaining that its purpose is to support people with disabilities by preserving Medicaid coverage and work incentives, avoiding institutionalization, and helping people remain in the community. She walks through the bill language, clarifies that it does not create a committee to institutionalize anyone, and explains that it directs the department to study options within existing federal Medicaid authority. Wintrow also addresses concerns about age 65 premium changes and cost sharing, arguing the bill should help people keep coverage and avoid being financially burdened or bankrupted. Later, she continues responding to questions about enrollment figures, examples of institutionalization, and the need for legislation to keep the department moving forward on the issue.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Camille Blaylock is first called on for questions and asks for an example of how the scenario would be used. Later in the same discussion, she is recognized for a motion, moves to send RS 3-3213 to print, notes that she still has questions and may prefer a full hearing, and her motion is then restated by the chair.
Camille Blaylock — Moved to send Senate Bill 1266 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Camille Blaylock — Asked how many people are enrolled in the program in Idaho.
Mark Harris — Introduced the RS on newborn hearing screenings and explained the need for Idaho to address the issue independently of federal action.
Mark Harris — Explained that the newborn hearing screenings are voluntary and offered to answer questions.
Mark Harris — Clarified that the screenings are voluntary and that parents can opt out; explained that parents can also request the screening through an audiologist.
Mark Harris — Explained that parents can request the screening through an audiologist and that the screenings are already occurring in hospitals.
Mark Harris — The RS is closed to questions and the committee moves to a print motion.
Mark Harris — Remained before the committee as the next bill is introduced.
Mark Harris — Introduced himself and said he represents District 15, Boise and part of West Meridian; previewed an RS related to newborn hearing screenings.
Brian Lenney — Senator Lenney moved to send RS 33314 to print, and the motion was seconded and recorded as carried forward for printing.
Brian Lenney — At the close of testimony on the bill, the chair asks whether there are any final questions and then invites Senator Galloway to close.
Brian Lenney — Asked what 'institutionalized' means in the hearing and bill.
Brian Lenney — Questioned why a bill is needed if the department already has staff and capacity.
Brian Lenney — Addressed directly in the comment about State Hospital South.
Brian Lenney — Called on for questions.
Taliana Nichols — Taliana Nichols, a foster and kinship mother from Region 1 in North Idaho, testifies in support of the bill by sharing her family’s kinship care story. She explains that after receiving a call about an extended family member’s newborn and CPS involvement, she and her husband stepped in to care for the baby while supporting the relative through her case plan. She says their family continued in foster care, welcoming more than 20 children into their home, and that she now serves as a resource peer mentor in Region 1. She closes by thanking the committee for giving families like hers the opportunity to step up and support others doing the same.
Nichols-Wire — Nichols-Wire testified in support of the legislation, introducing themselves as a Boise resident living with significant disabilities. They explained that the bill would benefit both them and their wife, who are also disabled, and described living independently with agency support and being employed. They emphasized that the bill needs to pass, saying it would make the department more accountable and help people with significant disabilities. The exchange ended with the committee thanking them for their testimony.
Dana Grover — The chair introduced Dana Grover as the next witness and then confirmed that her written testimony was available.
Dana Gover — Dana Gover introduced herself as a quadriplegic who has been enrolled in the Medicaid for Workers program since it began. She explained that she has multiple insurance coverages, including Medicare, Federal Blue Cross, and Medicaid, and noted that this arrangement changed when she turned 65. She also described her professional work providing training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act, said she helped get Medicaid for Workers passed, served on Medicaid oversight committees, and now assists businesses and government entities in understanding how to comply with disability-related requirements while also answering regional calls for four states.
Dana Gover — Dana Gover's testimony about cost sharing is referenced.
unknown witness — The witness says they are embarrassed to discuss personal details publicly but appreciates the committee.
Mel Levitin — A possible additional witness is mentioned, but she did not sign in.
Dana — Referenced in discussion about people wanting to work beyond age 65.
Randy — Described as someone who contacted the speaker and wants to work beyond age 65.
Randy — Described as a former Tax Commission employee who was on the program and shared his story.
Randy — Used as an example of someone whose premium increased from about $80 to over $2,400 per month.
Julie VanOrden — Julie VanOrden is repeatedly addressed as 'Madam Chair' throughout this portion of the meeting, with multiple brief mentions reinforcing her role as the presiding chair.
Julie VanOrden — Suggested putting the proposal in intent language in a budget bill.
Julie VanOrden — Julie VanOrden was addressed as Madam Chair and then requested a roll call vote on the matter.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippey is recognized.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippey is recognized again.
Brandon Shippy — Moves to approve the minutes of January 28th, 2026.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippey is recognized and begins presenting RS 33115C1.
Brandon Shippy — Explains RS 33115C1 as follow-up legislation tied to Senate Bill 1034.
Brandon Shippy — Provides background on foster care licensing and his family's experience.
Brandon Shippy — Describes the burden of in-person foster care classes based on personal experience.
Brandon Shippy — Requests introduction/printing of RS 33115C1 and stands for questions.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy was identified as the seconder on a motion and then asked follow-up questions about the screening policy, specifically why the screenings are voluntary and whether parents can request the screening or if it is unavailable to them.
Brandon Shippy — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1266.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy is called to speak and immediately begins discussing the bill, framing it as a study request before the motion is made.
Carl Bjerke — Seconded the motion; transcript says 'Senator Birke,' corrected to Bjerke from member list.