Rural health funding: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill extending the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration for five years, letting rural hospitals test new Medicare payment models to stay financially stable and keep care available. Coverage gap for Idaho kids: A new Georgetown report says nearly 8% of Idaho children under 6 were uninsured in 2024—up about 36% since 2022—after Medicaid “unwinding,” with advocates warning access could worsen as Idaho Medicaid changes loom. Local access and affordability: Idaho Falls opened the Bonneville Surgery Center, touting outpatient procedures at lower cost than hospital-based care, with multiple specialties already offered. Emergency care upgrade: Canyon County EMS added whole blood to ambulances through a partnership with Saint Alphonsus and the American Red Cross, aiming to improve survival for trauma patients. Health system contracting: MultiCare and Regence reached an agreement so Yakima-area facilities and doctors are back in-network for Regence members, while Premera talks continue. Medicaid fraud enforcement: Idaho AG Raúl Labrador announced arrests of two Ada County men on provider fraud charges tied to Medicaid. Community health support: Chobani’s second annual summer program plans 96,000+ meals across south-central Idaho through weekly free events. Public safety health tie-in: Idaho Power says arcing power lines likely caused the Mountain Home brush fire that destroyed homes and injured responders.