MY TURN: Medicaid, a stronger Idaho: Finding hope and common ground

Idaho just took a big step toward protecting Medicaid and strengthening health care with the advancement of House Bill 345. Policies and budgets matter, but what matters most are the people who rely on Medicaid every day. This bill protects access to care while ensuring Medicaid remains financially sound, accountable and built to last. It keeps Medicaid off the chopping block, brings more voices to the table and lays the foundation for a healthier Idaho. 

Getting anything done in today’s political climate is tough. But this happened because people sat down, listened and worked toward something that actually helps Idahoans. I want to thank Rep. Jordan Redman for engaging in that process, not just looking at Medicaid as a cost on a spreadsheet, but as a service Idaho families depend on. That kind of leadership makes a difference. 

I also want to thank the legislators who voted to move this bill forward. They recognized that health care stability isn’t about politics, it’s about ensuring Idahoans have care when they need it. And to those who voted no, I respect your perspective. We may approach the issue differently, but we all care about making Idaho stronger. What matters most is that we keep listening and keep working toward real solutions. 

A conversation about hope 

The other day, I spoke with a legislator about hope, something that doesn’t come up enough in policy discussions. But hope drives action. It pushes us to solve problems instead of just debating them. 

This bill represents hope in action. It ensures Medicaid is available for those who need it while keeping the program fiscally responsible and well-managed. It brings health care providers, lawmakers and community leaders together so decisions reflect real-world impact, not just budget numbers. 

It also strengthens oversight and accountability to protect taxpayer dollars. Idahoans work hard for their money, and they deserve to know it’s being spent wisely. Smart investments in preventative care and health care access help lower costs over time. When people get the care they need earlier, they avoid expensive emergency room visits and prevent serious health complications. 

Future changes to Medicaid should be measured and responsible, not rushed or reactionary. This bill builds in that stability, ensuring Medicaid continues to serve its purpose without unnecessary spending or bureaucracy. 

Let’s choose trust over cynicism 

Cynicism is easy. It’s easy to assume bad intent, to dig in, to let partisan politics drive decisions. But cynicism never solved a problem. 

Idaho is better than that. Time and again, we’ve proven that when we put aside our differences and focus on solutions, we can do big, bold, meaningful things for this state. 

That starts with seeing the humanity in each other. The people who depend on Medicaid aren’t numbers on a page, they are our neighbors, our friends, our family members. They are small business owners, veterans, working parents and seniors who deserve a health care system that works for them. 

We can debate ideas. We should challenge each other. But we can do it with respect, with trust and with a shared goal of making Idaho stronger. 

Leading the way by working together 

If there’s one thing Idaho does well, it’s finding ways to get things done, even when we don’t always agree. 

There’s too much division in America right now, but we don’t have to follow that path. We can focus on the work that needs to be done. We can listen, find common ground and build a health care system that works for Idaho by prioritizing people, fiscal responsibility and smart policy. 

And there’s a lot to be hopeful about. At Heritage Health, we’re proving what’s possible with projects like the Center for Healthy Living, a model that makes health care more accessible, affordable and focused on prevention. Work like this is already making a difference in our community. Local innovation and smart investments in health create a system that delivers better outcomes and controls costs without unnecessary bureaucracy. 

Idaho has always been a place where people take care of each other. That’s the spirit that built this state, and that’s the spirit we need now. 

To my colleagues in health care, to the legislators shaping our policies and to the people of Idaho: Let’s prove that solutions are possible. Let’s choose hope over division. Let’s show the country that Idaho does things differently and does them better. 

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Mike Baker is CEO of Heritage Health.