John Barnes is among Idahoans whose stories about how Medicaid expansion improved their lives will be highlighted in a documentary by health advocacy groups. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)
A documentary highlighting how voter-approved Idaho Medicaid expansion has saved lives is premiering Nov. 13 in Boise.
Documentarians visited Pocatello, Boise and Coeur d’Alene for interviews to highlight stories from across the largely rural state.
Without Idaho Medicaid expansion, ‘I may not be here.’ Documentary to share stories
The film will feature accounts from two patients — including a cancer survivor — as well as a patient navigator who works for the Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center and a North Idaho physician who works for Kootenai Health, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Idaho Grassroots Manager Erin Riley told the Idaho Capital Sun.
“Every time I watch it, I get goosebumps,” Riley said.
The documentary is in partnership with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Idaho Supports Medicaid, a network of health care providers, community organizations and advocates.
The documentary is focused on showcasing “why Medicaid expansion is helping people, how it is a success, and why we want to protect Medicaid expansion in Idaho,” she said.
In August, an Idaho Capital Sun story detailed how John Barnes told documentarians that without Medicaid expansion, “I would probably have been dead a long time ago.”
How to attend the documentary screening?
When: The screening will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 13, with a panel event planned. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Treefort Music Hall in downtown Boise, at 722 W. Broad St.
How to attend: Registration is available online at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s website.
Other ways to watch: The documentary will be available online after the screening, Riley said. The groups are also considering other screening events.
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What is Idaho Medicaid Expansion?
In 2018, 60% of Idaho voters approved a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid coverage to a broader range of low-income earners.
Idaho’s expansion took effect in 2020, raising the maximum income for Medicaid qualification from 100% of the federal poverty limit to 138%, which is currently $2,970 a month for a family of three, or around $35,600 a year.
In August, Idaho Medicaid expansion covered about 94,000 people, an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare previously told the Idaho Capital Sun.
Voter-approved expansion followed years of stalled legislative efforts to address a health insurance assistance gap in Idaho, dubbed the “Medicaid gap.” People in the gap made too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to get subsidies on Idaho’s insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho.
Ten states haven’t expanded Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2012, according to KFF, a health policy research group.
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