Idaho’s Medicaid cuts create job losses, mental health woes

Idaho’s $35 million in Medicaid cuts have eliminated thousands of jobs, hurt disabled recipients and pushed mentally ill people into jails, says a panel that recently reported on the issue. The panel concluded that the cuts cost the state 4,000 jobs, and eliminated mental health services that were critical in keeping mentally ill people out of trouble with law enforcement. Police now must deal with more mental health issues, and suicide calls are up, said members of the study panel, which was sponsored by advocacy groups for Idahoans with disabilities.