Idaho lawmakers are in a budget battle that could change daily life for disabled people across the state. This situation is not just a local issue; it reflects a national conversation about Medicaid. Millions of disabled individuals rely on this program to live safely, independently, and with dignity. States everywhere are dealing with rising healthcare costs, staff shortages, and political pressure to cut spending. Idaho’s debate shows how quickly essential supports can be threatened.
The proposed cuts focus on home and community-based services, which help disabled people live outside of institutions. These services include in-home nursing, personal care assistance, and help with daily tasks that make independent living possible. Families in Idaho have made it clear what these services mean: without them, parents would need to leave their jobs, families would face debt, and many disabled individuals would be forced into institutions far from home. Similar situations are happening across the country, where waiting lists can stretch for years, and families worry about losing the assistance that keeps them afloat.
For disabled adults like me, the stakes are very real. My personal care assistant (PCA) services are covered by Medicaid and cost about $70,000 a year. Without that coverage, I would struggle to find the financial means to get the support I need to live safely and independently. This isn’t an exaggeration—it’s the reality of my life. It reflects the experience of thousands of disabled people nationwide who depend on Medicaid-funded care to engage in their communities, hold jobs, and avoid being placed in institutions.
Lawmakers often present cuts as ways to save money, but decades of evidence prove otherwise. Institutional care is generally more expensive than supporting someone at home. When states cut home and community-based services, they often see an increase in emergency room visits, more hospitalizations, and more people forced into institutions—costs that far exceed any savings they hoped to achieve.
Disability rights advocates have fought for years to move away from institutionalization. Court cases like Olmstead v. L.C. have confirmed that disabled people have the right to live in their communities. Cutting these services undermines this progress.
Medicaid is under pressure nationwide. It covers about one in five Americans and pays for most long-term services for disabled people and seniors. However, because states must balance their budgets every year, Medicaid becomes a target when revenue drops. Rising healthcare costs, a severe shortage of direct-care workers, and an aging population have made the system even more unstable. Additionally, federal discussions about capping or restructuring Medicaid funding create uncertainty, leading states to preemptively cut services.
Disability advocates across the country are closely monitoring Idaho. Some states have proposed work requirements for Medicaid, even though many disabled people are already exempt or are working. Others have waiting lists for services that last for years. Low wages for caregivers make it extremely difficult to recruit and keep staff. In this system, even minor cuts can lead to serious consequences.
Families in Idaho have come forward to highlight what’s at stake. They discuss medication schedules, sleepless nights, and the tricky balance required for caregiving. They explain how a few hours of PCA support can influence whether they can work, rest, or simply keep their loved ones safe. Their experiences reflect what disabled people and families across the country already understand: Medicaid is not just a program; it’s the framework that supports our lives.
The national discussion is not only about budgets. It’s about values. How should the United States support disabled people? What does independence mean if it’s only available to those who can afford it? What kind of community do we want to build?
As Idaho’s legislative session continues, the decisions made there will have effects that extend beyond state lines. Other states may follow Idaho’s example—either toward deeper cuts or toward stronger investment in community-based care. For disabled people everywhere, the stakes are immediate and deeply personal. The future of Medicaid will influence where we live, how we live, and whether we can live with independence and dignity.
Sources:
Luterman, Sara. “As Medicaid Shrinks, Idaho Weighs Eliminating State Disability Programs.” The 19th, The 19th 2 Mar. 2026.
https://19thnews.org/2026/03/idaho-medicaid-budget-cuts-disability-programs/
Pfannenstiel, Kyle. “Idaho Legislature Might Bring Back a Family Disability Caregiver Program That the State Cut.” Idaho Capital Sun, States Newsroom. 2 Mar. 2026. https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/03/02/idaho-legislature-might-bring-back-a-family-disability-caregiver-program-that-the-state-cut/?utm_
Shapiro, Joseph. “Lois Curtis, Who Won a Landmark Civil Rights Case for People with Disabilities, Died.” NPR, NPR, 5 Nov. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/11/05/1134426128/lois-curtis-who-won-a-landmark-civil-rights-case-for-people-with-disabilities-di.