Idaho Wants to Retain Private Insurance Option for Poor

Idaho is seeking federal approval to let low-income individuals in the state have the option of receiving tax credits to remain in the state’s private health insurance marketplace or enrolling in Medicaid.

The state announced July 16 that it is asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a waiver from certain requirements under the Affordable Care Act. Unless the waiver is approved, individuals who are currently eligible to use tax credits to enroll in private insurance on the exchange would be enrolled in Medicaid.

Voters in Idaho in November approved an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program to ...