Senator
Nuxoll's weekly newsletter
 Idaho.
This is $100 million more than 2016. Of this, Idaho pays 37%
and the federal government pays 63%. Many behavioral health businesses
in Idaho have been complaining about Optum, which manages the behavioral
health program for the state. The Department of Health and Welfare has
assured me that Optum is doing exactly what the department is asking for.
I am still open to discussion on this issue.
In Health and Welfare Committee, one of the rules that I voted against dealt with transitional Medicaid. In other words, it basically provided that participants who no longer qualify for Medicaid due to an increase in earned income or working hours are eligible for an additional 12 months of Medicaid to transition off. This causes our state to pay an unnecessary additional $2.8 million a year and the federal government to pay $7 million a year just for our state. Besides the cost, the program increases dependency and the entitlement attitude. The rule passed by a vote of 4-3. A presentation by the Idaho Council on Suicide Prevention listed suicide as the 2nd leading cause of death for Idahoans, after accidents, between the ages of 15 and 34 and for males ages 10-14. 16% of Idaho youth attending public and charter high schools reported seriously considering suicide in 2013. Many times other students know that a suicide is to be attempted, but are bound by “secrecy” to not notify the parents. What can we do to provide the hope and meaning of life to these youth? In the Resource Committee, we went over DEQ rules on water quality regulations by the EPA using fish consumption data from Idaho citizens and the regulation of the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (IPDES permitting system). Under the IPDES permit, Idaho is seeking primacy for water. This means that Idaho will have some variance on the EPA rules. This does cost Idaho $2 million a year, plus fees to cities and large companies. The DEQ has assured me that they will be able to help the small scale suction dredge miners better than before. I am hoping that this is true. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me. Sen. Sheryl L. Nuxoll Idaho State Senate (208) 332-1355 (Direct line) (208) 332-1417 (Assistant’s line) snuxoll@senate.idaho.gov |
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