Idaho Democratic Party News and Articles

Every legislative session, Idaho lawmakers make decisions that shape the quality of your neighborhood school, whether rural hospitals can keep their doors open, and the cost of putting a roof over your family’s head. Idaho Democrats are entering this session guided by a simple principle: Idahoans who put in the work should have the financial stability to cover necessities like rent or a mortgage, food, utilities, and child care. [...]

Today, Idaho Republican Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher voted against Democrats’ plan to extend enhanced ACA premium tax credits, after Republicans let those credits expire on December 31. Because Republicans refused to act, more than 100,000 Idahoans are now facing premium hikes that could double or triple what they pay each month. Last month, Idaho became the first state in the nation to end open enrollment for its [...]

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea released the following statement in response to the United States military actions in Venezuela: “This is not how a democracy decides questions of war and the American people know it. By overwhelming margins, Americans opposed military action in Venezuela and believed the president needed to seek Congressional approval first. Instead of heeding the wise concerns of Americans, the president illegally pushed our [...]

Medicaid expansion is one of the smartest investments Idaho has ever made. For every dollar our state puts in, Idaho draws down nine federal dollars. No other line item delivers a stronger return, and few do more to strengthen our economy, stabilize rural health care, and protect working families. It’s alarming that Republicans on Idaho’s so-called DOGE task force recently recommended repealing Medicaid expansion. That vote sets the stage for [...]

Idaho is building community schools because they work. This evidence-based model is linked to better attendance, fewer disciplinary problems, and stronger academic outcomes. But now the Trump regime has canceled the grant Idaho schools earned to expand community schools across our state. When a family is facing eviction, when a job loss means there’s no money for school clothes, or when the grocery budget doesn’t stretch to the end [...]

For generations, Idaho Democrats have protected the places that make this state what it is. We believe our public lands belong to all of us, not just the highest-bidding billionaires. Sen. Frank Church led the fight to pass the Wilderness Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. As Interior Secretary, Cecil Andrus drove the effort that secured passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the largest [...]

Disenrollments nearly doubled, new enrollments fell 24%, and 20,000 Idahoans expected to cancel coverage in the coming months. New enrollment data from Your Health Idaho provides a first look at the impact of Republicans’ refusal to extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Idaho became the first state in the nation to end enrollment amid this uncertainty. The credits make coverage affordable for more than 100,000 Idahoans. Without them, [...]

Democrats have long recognized that Americans deserve affordable medical care. For much of our history, you got the best care in the world only if you were wealthy. Everyone else lived a different reality. Even if you were “lucky” enough to have insurance, you could hit coverage caps just as you got sick or be denied because of a preexisting condition. If you were self-employed, worked a job without [...]

Today, Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted against extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits that 100,605 Idahoans rely on to afford their health care. On December 15, Idaho becomes the first state in the nation where the ACA open enrollment window closes, and Idahoans will be the first to see the consequences of Republicans’ refusal to act. Without these credits, families are expected to see their monthly premiums [...]