Medicaid Pushes Idaho’s 2014 Budget Up a Bit

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Budget writers completed most of their work, passing a Medicaid spending plan to push fiscal year 2014's state budget to about $2.78 billion, or about 2.8 percent above last year. The Medicaid budget passed Friday, second-biggest after public education, calls for $477 million to care for Idaho's elderly, poor and disabled population.

That's less than 1 percent above Medicaid spending in 2013, largely because an expansion of those who are eligible for the program's benefits didn't materialize. There are still several bills in the House and Senate that could result in additional spending, though the 2014 budget figure isn't due to change much.

The budget is set below the projected 5.3 percent growth in state revenue. Some lawmakers are skeptical of that figure, though revenue remained on track through February.