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IdahoH 09282026 regular legislative sessionHouse

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, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Workers can sue for DEI retaliation

Beginning July 1, 2026, health care professionals can sue if their employer retaliates because they refused prohibited DEI conduct. Courts can order reinstatement or other relief. You may recover damages and reasonable lawyer fees if you win. This right to sue is limited to retaliation tied to refusal to engage in conduct the law forbids.

Fines and investigations for Medicaid providers

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Attorney General investigates formal complaints under this law. Before the state imposes fines, providers get written notice and a chance to fix the problem. For 50 or more employees: up to $10,000 for a first violation, $50,000 for a second, and $100,000 for later ones. For fewer than 50 employees: up to $5,000 first, $25,000 second, and $50,000 for later violations. Penalties apply per violation.

New DEI limits for Medicaid providers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho Medicaid‑participating providers face new limits on DEI policies, trainings, and public messages. Providers may not use discriminatory hiring or adopt prohibited DEI conduct in jobs, training, policies, or public messages for Medicaid‑funded work. State funds, including Medicaid payments, cannot support public messages that promote prohibited DEI conduct. The law still allows compliance with federal civil‑rights laws, needed demographic data for care or public health, patient‑specific risk talks, and required clinical or accreditation training. Following these rules is a material condition of Medicaid provider agreements and must align with CMS guidance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Clint Hostetler

    Republican • House

  • Kohl & Toews

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 28

House vote • 3/31/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 55 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

Senate 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. Delivered to Governor at 4:12 p.m. on April 1, 2026

    4/1/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    4/1/2026House

  7. Rules Suspended: Ayes 61 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 9, read in full as required – PASSED - 55-8-7

    3/31/2026House

  8. Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading

    3/31/2026House

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

    3/31/2026House

  10. Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing

    3/30/2026House

  11. Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk

    3/30/2026House

  12. House Concurred in Senate Amendments

    3/30/2026House

  13. Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk

    3/30/2026House

  14. Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 29-6-0 Floor Sponsors - Kohl & Toews

    3/30/2026Senate

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

    3/27/2026Senate

  16. Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading

    3/26/2026Senate

  17. Amendments reported printed

    3/26/2026Senate

  18. Reported out as amended; filed for first reading

    3/26/2026Senate

  19. Amendments ordered printed

    3/26/2026Senate

  20. Placed in the Committee of the Whole

    3/26/2026Senate

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

    3/25/2026Senate

  22. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare

    3/23/2026Senate

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

    3/23/2026Senate

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

    3/20/2026House

  25. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/19/2026House

Bill Text

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