Mike Baker
March 28, 2024
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ADVERTORIAL: ADVERTISING - For the kids you worry about at night
A great pediatric team notices when something is off and asks the right question. What happens next matters.
Heritage Health to break ground on phase two
Phase Two of Heritage Health's Center for Healthy Living construction begins in February and is scheduled for completion in fall 2026. CEO of Heritage Health Mike Baker said that just about a year after the start of phase one of the project, the project is on track to finish what they set out to start.
Open your eyes
Most people I meet, Republican, Democrat, Independent, doesn’t matter, want the same things. They want safety. Stability. Fairness. A future for their kids. That’s the common ground we keep walking away from.
MY TURN: Idaho needs solutions from the middle
Idaho is changing fast, and not always in ways that make life easier. Medicaid cuts, school funding shortfalls, and a constant reshuffling of how we pay for things, it all adds up. These shifts aren’t abstract. They show up in the waiting room, in the classroom, and in the checkout line at the grocery store.
MY TURN: In times of division, community unity is a health issue
We often think of health in terms of checkups, prescriptions, and clinic visits. But health is also about the world we live in, how connected we feel, how safe we are to be ourselves, and how we show up for one another as neighbors.
MY TURN: Medicaid, a stronger Idaho: Finding hope and common ground
Idaho just took a big step toward protecting Medicaid and strengthening healthcare 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.
OPINION: The catastrophic impact of Medicaid expansion repeal on our community and health care system
As discussions swirl around the potential repeal of Medicaid expansion in Idaho, it’s essential to take a step back and consider the devastating effects such a move would have on our state’s health care system, particularly for those who rely on essential services provided by organizations like Heritage Health. The stakes have never been higher, and we must act now to protect the future of health care for vulnerable populations.
Medicaid expansion bill sparks debate on future of Idaho health care
By a single vote, and after overwhelmingly negative public testimony, the Idaho House and Welfare Committee advanced a bill that could end Medicaid expansion.
Heritage Health lays off 10% of employees
Heritage Health will lay off 40 employees, about 10% of its workforce, as a preemptive measure ahead of possible funding cuts, according to the nonprofit.
MY TURN: Breaking through the noise
The noise is relentless. From media overload to political shouting matches, we’re bombarded daily with messages designed to divide, distract, and exhaust us. This constant clamor isn’t just affecting adults — it’s harming our kids. As a health care leader, I see firsthand the toll this takes on mental health. Anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are on the rise, fueled by the toxic environment we’ve created. What example are we setting when anger and division dominate? Is this really what we want our kids to absorb? The damage goes beyond politics; it’s shaping a future where tearing others down becomes normal. We can and must do better.
MY TURN: Standing against hate in our community
The recent incident at McEuen Park, where students from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe were racially harassed, is a stark reminder of the work we must continue to do to foster a community of respect and understanding. Hate, in any form, cannot be tolerated. It is not just an attack on individuals but an assault on the very fabric of our community.
OPINION: The courage to lead differently
Good leaders use moral compass, not fear
MY TURN: 'Shut up?' No, step up and lead
Kootenai County voters can now choose best path forward
MY TURN: Come together against the tide
An open invitation to serve on the side of light