Adds to existing law to create the Health Grant Program for the Medically Underserved.

This proposal establishes a two year cooperative grant program through the Department of Health and Welfare to the Community Health Center Network of Idaho. The purpose of the grant program is 1) to collect demographic and health data on the Idaho gap population (persons under 100% of the federal poverty guidelines), and 2) to provide outreach to and augmentation of primary health care services to the gap population provided through federally qualified health centers throughout the state. The data and augmented service will provide a bridge to recommendations expected to be made by a legislative interim committee to be established to study and make recommendations regarding long term provision of health care to the gap population. ThisprovidesdirectiontotheDirectorofHealthandWelfaretoworkthroughthewaiverapplication process of the medicaid system and to establish a legislative interim committee that will ensure negotiations stay within the sideboards set in the bill's language. It is expected that the result of the application will then be available for the 1st Regular Session of the 64th Idaho Legislature for consideration. The application will be focused on those Idahoans who currently fall within the health care gap; those persons under 100% of the federal poverty guidelines.