THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Konie came to the Statehouse for a visit! Lots going on, even in the dog days of summer!
Medicaid Managed Care Committee
I serve on this committee that was created by HCR009 to examine the most effective and cost efficient ways to deliver Medicaid services. Currently IDHW contracts a private vendor to deliver services associated with behavioral health, dental, and non-emergency medical transportation. Taxpayer dollars are used to pay a private company to deliver services instead of hiring staff for Idaho Medicaid. There are pros and cons to these model, but so far NO convincing or consistent evidence has been presented that Managed Care Models save money or improve services.
Stay tuned! More meetings and more info coming!
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LEGISLATIVE WORK
I have been working with a group of stakeholders since the end of session to better understand many of the challenges people face who have degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer's, dementia, and Huntington's disease. There are many gaps in services including those to support caregivers and to find ways to de-escalate and prevent additional troubles associated with these disorders. I will keep you posted on this work and any support that folks can provide.
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The Anti Defamation League (ADL) Pacific Northwest recently opened applications for the 2023-2024 Glass Leadership Institute class in Seattle, Portland and for the first time, in Boise! it’s a great opportunity for young advocates or aspiring/current public servants.
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For over 20 years, ADL Pacific Northwest has convened the Glass Leadership Institute for emerging leaders in their 20’s and 30’s from all backgrounds. This six-month program, beginning in November 2023 and culminating in May 2024, empowers young professionals with the skills to advance ADL’s mission of fighting antisemitism and hate and building a just, inclusive society.
Evening programs feature national and local ADL experts and community partners who present on a variety of topics, including fighting antisemitism and hate, civil rights advocacy, criminal justice reform and policing, and addressing domestic extremism. Participants are also invited to attend an ADL national leadership summit and local lobby days.
Applications for the new class are now open and will close on August 31. I would so appreciate you sharing this information with your colleagues and greater network.
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The Office of Performance Evaluation is conducting a follow-up evaluation of the child protection system to assess the progress made on recommendations in four previous studies.
To gather information from a variety of sources, we have created a website where anyone with an interest in child protection can learn about this project and provide their contact information to participate.
Please contact OPE if you would like to connect and offer input: https://opechildprotectionstudy.com/
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A Sad Day...And a Day of Clarity
Fighting for Our Fundamental Freedoms
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Speech Delivered on June 24 at the Idaho Statehouse on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade being overturned
Today marks the first time a constitutional right, a fundamental freedom to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, has been taken away from us after years of calculated, hateful attacks.
Today is a Day of CLARITY. And I have never been more clear than I am today…Clear in thought. Clear in purpose. Clear in action.
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Make no mistake, the lynchpin to women’s equality is the freedom to control when and if to have a child. This is about our independence and our freedom to live the lives we choose. And the forces who are erasing our freedoms know it.
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING....
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Democracy depends on preserving the freedom to read
by Senator Rick Just
"Libraries are the brick-and-mortar embodiment of the First Amendment. They are there to educate, entertain and challenge us. Unfortunately, there is an organized movement to have certain books removed from our libraries. A number of Republican lawmakers in Idaho want to do that by offering cash bounties to parents who find books with a paragraph or illustration they find objectionable..." Click Here to Continue Reading
Privatizing public education
by Rep Steve Berch
"Idaho will spend $2.3 billion on K-12 public education in 2024. There are powerful out-of-state forces who want to get their hands on that money. Some are driven by profit, others by political ideology, religious beliefs, or a combination of interests. They all share one common goal: shift your public schools dollars to the private sector. Here are some of the dots to connect in the “privatizing public education” playbook..." Click Here to Continue Reading
Idaho legislators met with other red-state lawmakers. Idaho's abortion bank is the worst
by Senator Melissa Wintrow and Rep Ilana Rubel
"It has now been one year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of legal abortion access. We recently returned from the White House, where 47 red-state lawmakers met to discuss strategies to protect reproductive rights. As we compared notes, it was jarring to realize that even among red states, Idaho is the worst in America for women’s reproductive rights. Here are the facts... Click Here to Continue Reading
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TIME TO REJUVENATE
...IN IRELAND
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In late June I was able to get away for a week to hike the hillsides of Ireland. It was my first trip overseas! I met lovely people, spent quiet time hiking the Wicklow Way, and had time to reflect and recharge the batteries. It's been a very challenging year, and taking quality time away is so important to be able to continue the very important work we are doing. Thank you all for your on-going support and wishing you a summer filled with laughter, love, and time to reflect on what's most important in our lives.
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Thank you for your continued support!
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