FHBC attends 'Idaho Supports Medicaid: In Our Words' screening
Medicaid support group photo.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Office of Public Affairs
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council attended the screening of “Idaho Supports Medicaid: In Our Words” on Thursday, December 5.
The short film shares stories of Idahoans whose lives have been transformed by Medicaid expansion, showcasing how access to healthcare is saving lives and strengthening communities. Two familiar faces on screen are Nancy Wahtomy, Patient Navigator for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Patrick Murillo, Shoshone-Bannock tribal member and Medicaid enrollee.
Wahtomy talks about how there’s not an oncologist at the IHS clinic and if a patient is eligible for Medicaid their access to care opens up significantly in receiving their cancer care.
She said through the Medicaid expansion, their cancer patients had a lot more opportunities to receive care that they probably wouldn’t have if they didn’t have any insurance.
Murillo is a two-time survivor of prostate cancer.
“Having Medicaid and having that tool to be able to fight the reoccurring cancer was phenomenal. It brings you more comfort than you can imagine because you don’t have to worry about that medical debt,” he said.
He speaks about the extraordinary costs of care and said without Medicaid he may have not had a second chance at life.
The film can be viewed at the following link: https://youtu.be/R9i88iAT3o4?si=YiYJvwTEc_KaMNuv
To learn more about Medicaid expansion in Idaho visit the Idaho Supports Medicaid website and the Protect Medicaid Expansion homepage, on both of these pages you can sign up to receive more information and action alerts during the 2025 Idaho Legislative session.
If you’re interested in attending the Idaho Supports Medicaid Day in Boise please sign up before the end of this month at https://www.fightcancer.org/events/idaho-supports-medicaid-day-capitol.
Erin Riley, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network grassroots manager, and Ayla Birch, Outreach Specialist for Idaho Voices, were the presenters for the event and said what they're doing in reaching out to the public, is so that the public can reach out to lawmakers and voice their concerns.
Senator Julie VanOrden is the Chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. The representatives in this district are Representative David Cannon and Representative Ben Fuhriman, who will be on the House Health and Welfare Committee.
