Health Care

Health Care is Expensive

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 200,000 Idahoans under age 65 did not have health insurance in 2018. That’s 13% of individuals and families across the state.

Even more Idahoans do not have dental insurance. The 2017 Idaho Oral Health Environmental Assessment Report found that 34% of Idahoans paid out-of-pocket for dental care.

Health Care Programs

Medicaid and CHIP are two government programs that help those who cannot afford health insurance. In 2020, through these programs, more than 340,000 Idaho children, pregnant women, adults, seniors, and individuals with disabilities had health and long-term care coverage.

Additional help is provided through federally-funded health clinics that offer free and discounted health and dental care services. These clinics provided services for 1 in 10 Idahoans in 2021.

IIRAH Advocates for Health for All

Individuals without the funds for health and dental insurance typically put off needed care. Thus, they are in poorer health when they finally seek medical attention. Worse health, in turn, means higher medical costs. In addition, research has found that individuals in poorer health have lower earning potential. And children in poorer health perform more poorly in school.

To help individuals and families forced to choose between needed health care and buying food, IIRAH advocates for continued funding for Medicaid, CHIP, federally-funded health clinics, and other essential programs.