Boise (670 KBOI News) – Another bill to add so-called “sideboards”, or conditions, to the Medicaid expansion law will be debated in the House Health and Welfare Committee.

Nampa Representative John VanderWoude sponsored the new draft bill, just as he sponsored House Bill 249, which was held in committee after an outpouring of public opposition.

That bill would have added a work requirement to Medicaid, and this one still has that requirement, but slightly less work would be needed.

“In 249, the work requirement was 30 hours, this is reduced to 20 hours a week,” said VanderWoude.  “And the other change is to allow for those from 100 to 138 to stay on the state (health) exchange, and not be optional, but to move those people and keep them on the state exchange.”

“100 to 138” refers to people making 100% to 138% of the federal poverty level.

The legislature plans to adjourn for the year next week.