Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 pm on Idaho Public Television.

This week on the show, Dr. Marlene Tromp from Boise State University discusses the future of higher education in Idaho amid discourse about student loan debt and workforce readiness. McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses arguments coming up before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, overrules Idaho's state abortion ban.

Does EMTALA Override Idaho's Abortion Laws?

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Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, conflicts with an Idaho state law that bans all abortion unless needed to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. Constitutional law professor McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho joined Melissa Davlin this week to preview arguments the nation can expect to hear before the court.

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(Photo courtesy Michelle Vincent)

Rep. Sue Chew died Wednesday at the age of 66. She served in the Idaho House for 18 years, making her the longest-serving Democrat and the second-longest serving current representative after House Speaker Mike Moyle. She was a pharmacist by trade, and an active member of the House Health and Welfare Committee, where she worked across the aisle on pharmacy legislation and other issues. She was also known for constantly reaching out to constituents, students, and marginalized community members, even outside of election years.

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U.S. Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce youth gender-affirming care ban while lawsuit plays out

Idaho Capital Sun: Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision enforces the gender-affirming care ban for all other transgender youth in Idaho as the lawsuit remains ongoing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The law makes it a felony punishable for up to 10 years for doctors to provide surgeries, puberty-blockers and hormones to transgender people under the age of 18.

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State Independent Living Council might also face funding issues

Budget and administrative uncertainty at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation could affect other state entities and certain nonprofits, the State Independent Living Council learned Thursday. Left unchecked, those issues could render SILC unable to function.

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In case you missed it:

Budget writers unable to decipher fiscal issues

Lawmakers and staff are having a difficult time verifying finances at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. It might be related to the state’s new accounting system.

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Medicaid waiver bill alarms Idahoans with disabilities, stakeholders

Providers and advocates for disabled Idahoans are concerned about the passage of a Medicaid waiver bill and if vague language could prevent funding implementation.

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Legislative counsel says Medicaid waiver bill won’t disrupt services

In an April 12 letter obtained by Idaho Reports, legislative attorney Elizabeth Bowen wrote to lawmakers that House Bill 398 regarding Medicaid waivers should not disrupt current services for Idahoans, contradicting concerns Gov. Brad Little voiced earlier this month.

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In case you missed it:

Bill over Medicaid waivers may be problematic

House Bill 398 is intended to reduce Medicaid costs and provide more oversight by requiring legislative approval of any future waivers and state plan amendments. Waivers are granted when the state agrees to waive some program requirements to meet the needs of individuals in a certain group, such as those at risk of being institutionalized without home care, or developmentally disabled people.

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