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IdahoH 09282026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

MERIT-BASED HEALTH CARE – Adds to existing law to establish the Merit-Based Health Care Act.

Sponsored By: WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Fines for Medicaid providers that violate rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Attorney General can investigate complaints that a Medicaid provider broke these rules. Before fines, the Department gives written notice and a chance to fix the problem. For providers with 50 or more employees, fines are up to $10,000 for a first, $50,000 for a second, and $100,000 for a third or later violation. For providers with fewer than 50 employees, fines are up to $5,000, $25,000, and $50,000. Amounts apply per violation.

Health workers can sue over retaliation

Beginning July 1, 2026, a health care professional can sue for retaliation for refusing to take part in prohibited DEI conduct. Courts can order reinstatement, injunctions, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees. This right covers only retaliation tied to a refusal to join conduct the law forbids.

New diversity and hiring rules for Medicaid providers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho Medicaid providers cannot use discriminatory hiring or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in jobs or contracts. They cannot give preference or impose a disadvantage based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, unless federal law requires it. They cannot consider DEI in hiring, promotion, pay, discipline, firing, or contracting; require DEI pledges; or run mandatory bias training that assigns blame by protected traits. They also cannot use state funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, for public messages that promote those practices. The rules cover only providers that take Idaho Medicaid funds (including through managed care) and are a binding term of Medicaid contracts, consistent with federal Medicaid and CMS guidance. The law still allows federal civil-rights compliance, needed demographic data, patient‑specific risk talks, and non‑ideological training for licensure, accreditation, or federal programs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Clint Hostetler

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 85 • No: 20

House vote • 3/30/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 29 • No: 6

House vote • 3/20/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 56 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 289 Effective: 07/01/2026

    4/2/2026

  2. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    4/1/2026House

  3. Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills

    3/31/2026House

  4. Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 29-6-0

    3/30/2026House

  5. Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third Reading

    3/27/2026House

  6. Placed in the Committee of the Whole

    3/26/2026House

  7. Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment

    3/25/2026House

  8. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 56-14-0

    3/20/2026House

  10. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/19/2026House

  11. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    3/18/2026House

Bill Text

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