Idaho Indian Affairs council urges protection for Medicaid

The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs voted Wednesday to draft a letter urging state budget writers to protect Medicaid funding, including Medicaid expansion, and exempt Native American tribal members from cuts, according to the Idaho Capital Sun.

Michael Steele, a policy analyst for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, told the council the federal government reimburses 100% of Medicaid service costs for tribal members. “The past year that I’ve worked for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of Medicaid,” Steele was quoted as saying. He said 54% of tribal members living on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation are enrolled in Medicaid and Medicaid funding represents 82% of the Tribal Health and Human Services budget.

The council voted unanimously to draft the letter. Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow, said he would want to see the letter before adding his name.