IDAHO HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

Idaho Nursing Facility
Sustainability & Quality Act

69th Legislature — 2027 Session — Campaign Resource Hub

$259
Current Rate/Day
46th
National Rank
$2.33
Fed $ Per $1 State
$5.3M
Year 1 State Cost
$32M+
Federal $ Generated
The Bill in Plain English

Idaho nursing homes are paid less than almost every other state. This bill raises a small fee that nursing homes already pay, and the federal government matches every state dollar with $2.33. That means Idaho gets over $32 million in new federal funding while only spending $5.3 million in state dollars. The money goes directly to raising staff wages, improving care quality, and making sure facilities can keep their doors open for the seniors who depend on them.

Phase 1
September 2026

Foundation

  • Board endorsement vote
  • Sponsor recruitment
  • DHW meeting request
  • CMS Region 10 pre-consultation
  • Coalition outreach begins
Board Resolution Communications Package
Phase 2
October – November 2026

Build Support

  • Coalition letters collected
  • CMS pre-consultation meeting
  • Interim committee presentation
  • DFM briefing
  • Independent economic study commissioned
  • Governor's office meeting
Governor's Brief Legislator Brief Communications Package
Phase 3
December 2026

Pre-Session

  • LSO bill submission
  • JFAC presentation prep
  • Media strategy finalized
  • Grassroots activation launched
Draft Bill Communications Package
Phase 4
January 2027

Session Opens

  • Bill introduced
  • Press release
  • Op-eds published
  • Committee hearing preparation
  • Vote counting
Communications Package
Phase 5
February 2027

Committee Vote

  • H&W Committee hearing (5 witnesses)
  • Q&A session
  • Committee votes
Testimony Script Opposition Guide Technical Guide Legislator Brief
Phase 6
February – March 2027

Floor & Crossover

  • House floor vote
  • Cross to Senate
  • Senate committee and floor vote
Draft Bill Full Proposal
Phase 7
March 2027

Governor Signs

  • Governor Little signs
  • Signing ceremony
  • Press release
Phase 8
April – June 2027

Implementation Begins

  • DHW submits SPA to CMS
  • Negotiated rulemaking begins
  • Workforce fund established
  • Tribal consultation
Technical Guide Execution Playbook
Phase 9
July 1, 2027

Effective Date

  • Assessment increases to 5.5%
  • Workforce fund distributing
  • Rate floor in effect
  • Hold-harmless active

Legislative

Draft Bill Text

Complete legislative language for the Idaho Nursing Facility Sustainability & Quality Act.

Open

Legislator Brief

Two-page summary for legislators covering the bill's key provisions and fiscal impact.

Open

Governor's Brief

Executive one-pager for Governor Little's office with fiscal neutrality analysis.

Open

Board Resolution

IHCA Board endorsement resolution and supporting member summary.

Open

Committee Testimony Script

Prepared testimony for the H&W Committee hearing with 5-witness coordination plan.

Open

Technical

Technical & Admin Guide

Implementation details covering SPA submission, rulemaking, and assessment mechanics.

Open

Full Proposal Report

Comprehensive research report with 50-state data analysis and reform framework.

Open

Idaho Proposal Section

Idaho-specific analysis extracted from the national panel study.

Open

50-State Data Dashboard

Interactive national Medicaid rate comparison across all 50 states.

Open

Communications

Communications Package

Press releases, op-ed templates, social media toolkit, and media strategy.

Open

Opposition Response Guide

Anticipated objections with evidence-based rebuttals for committee Q&A.

Open

Strategy

Execution Playbook

Week-by-week campaign execution guide with milestones, responsibilities, and decision points.

Open

Document Versions

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IHCA Staff

RV

Robert Vande Merwe

Executive Director

Since 2001
LM

Luke Malek, Esq.

Policy Director

Former Idaho State Rep D-4 (2012-2018)
LL

Lindsay Likes

Dir. Government Affairs

DL

Dana Leavitt

Dir. Member Services

Board Officers

RS

Riley Sessions

President

Parke View Rehab
LT

Landon Taylor

President-Elect

TanaBell
MR

Mike Robbins

Secretary

The Gables
BJ

Breanna Jamison

Treasurer

Cascadia
BB

Brian Bagley

Past President

Lakeside AL

Board Representatives

GW

Gary Weaver

AL Representative

Edgewood Spring Creek
JA

Jamie Anthony

ICF Representative

Developmental Options
GC

Graham Christensen

MI/DD Representative

Harmony House
JM

Jordan Monson

MI/DD Representative

Cascadia Healthcare
JS

Justin Stenquist

HH/H/HC Representative

Region Directors

TP

Tiffany Pettit

Regions 1, 2

Orchard Ridge
AH

Angie Hillishiem

Regions 3, 4

All Care Health Solutions
IH

Isaiah Hawkins

Regions 5, 6, 7

Bennett Hills Rehab

Idaho Health Care Association

13945 W. Wainwright Dr., Suite 101, Boise, ID 83713

(208) 343-9735  ·  idhca.org

Reform Assistant
Hello! I'm the Idaho Medicaid Reform Assistant. Ask me anything about the bill, timeline, data, or process.