Several Democratic lawmakers from Boise, among others, came to the Capitol Friday morning to testify against a proposal to require Medicaid recipients to get a referral from their primary care doctor to access family planning services, writes Post Register reporter Nathan Brown. “It only hurts women’s health care, with really no benefit on the other side whatsoever,” said Rep. Ilana Rubel.
Several people said they’re not sure the proposal is legal, suggesting that the federal government won’t approve it or, if it is approved, it will lead to a lawsuit the state will lose.
“What this means is hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees, increased cost to the system and a lack of patient choice, all of which are a consequence of this waiver,” said Rep. John Gannon. “The waiver discriminates against one class of people, women, and that’s why there will be a lawsuit. And that’s why there will be a lot of attorney’s fees. And whenever the case is lost, the state of Idaho will be looking at paying attorney’s fees.”
The waiver in question, which lawmakers approved earlier this year as part of a bill requesting several other waivers to make changes to Medicaid expansion, would require most Medicaid recipients to receive a referral from their primary care doctor to get outside family planning services.
That means women on Medicaid, not just in the expansion population, but throughout the program, would need a specific referral from their general practitioner to see their gynecologist, something not required under most private insurance. No one spoke in favor of the proposed waiver at Friday’s hearing, Brown reports. You can read Brown’s full story here at postregister.com.