POCATELLO, Idaho – Brian Parsons, Vice President of Bannock County GOP, is familiar with the 24/7 medical provider calling in Idaho. His wife’s clinic, The Pocatello Children’s Clinic, was enrolled in the Healthy Connections program until it was cut in the 2025 legislative session.
“The actual bill that we submitted, we did on behalf of my wife’s clinic, the Pocatello Children’s Clinic,” Parsons told NonStop Local.
The Bill in question, sponsored by Idaho State Senator Brandon Shippy, looks to restore $6.3 million in funding to the Healthy Connections Program, restarting the reimbursement of medical providers who are on call 24/7.
Parsons says the long-term cost of not spending the $6.3 million now, could be much higher.
“Right now, this is going to cost the state $6.3 million to re-implement, but it could save you $400 million,” Parsons explained.
That $400 million, coming from providers getting those calls, and accurately directing Medicaid users to emergency care, or setting up follow up appointments as needed.
“Should we not get it remedied, (Providers) will have to to make some tough decisions,” Parsons explained. “In the worst-case scenario, they might have to drop the Medicaid contract.”
The bill is currently in committee.
