The Idaho Commission on Aging is designated by the governor as Idaho's State Unit on Aging. The commission administers and ensures compliance of federally funded programs under the Federal Older Americans Act and state-funded programs under the Idaho Senior Services Act. It plans, coordinates, funds and monitors a variety of services, in conjunction with the Area Agency on Aging, to address the present and future needs of older Idahoans. It also serves as a catalyst for improvement in the organization, coordination and delivery of aging services in Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's programs and services are designed to help people to live healthy and be productive, in order to strengthen individuals, families and communities. From birth throughout life, the department helps people improve their lives. It deals with complex social, economic and health issues. It receives requests every day for assistance with food or medical insurance, and helps with child care, child support and substance abuse problems. Throughout the state, it is at the forefront of protecting public health.

People who get both Medicare and veterans benefits may choose to get treatment under either program, but they have to choose one program or the other each time. Medicare cannot pay for the same service paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), nor can the VA pay for the same service paid for by Medicare.

The Department of Insurance is an agency created to regulate the business of insurance in Idaho. State regulation of Idaho's insurance business began in 1901, and in 1961 the present Department of Insurance was created. When the executive branch of state government was reorganized in 1974, the Department of Insurance became one of 20 major departments of the executive branch. The director of the department is appointed by the governor and is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Idaho Fraud Awareness Coalition was organized by the Idaho Department of Insurance in 2008 to provide an educational program about fraud for the citizens of Idaho. The coalition is made up of members of the insurance industry, government agencies, law enforcement agencies and community groups. Members support the coalition through financial and other contributions.

The State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is part of a national program known in other states as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIBA was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. The goal is to protect older people and to preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal program was created in 1996 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and amended in 2006 by Titles II and IV of the Older Americans Act.

Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, staffed by doctors and other health care professionals, who are trained to review medical care, to help beneficiaries with complaints about the quality of care and to implement improvements in the quality of care available throughout the spectrum of care. QIOs are required under Sections 1152-1154 of the Social Security Act.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best. The Idaho Commission on Aging plans, coordinates, funds and monitors a statewide program of services to assist Idahoans in planning for present and future long-term care needs by partnering with six statewide Area Agencies on Aging.

The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The office resolves complaints and educates seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. The ombudsman also provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA).

Sally Jeffcoat became president and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Inc. in June 2009. Her previous experience includes six years as the president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital in Houston. She also serves on the board of directors of Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service Inc. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas.

David C. Pate has served as the president and CEO of St. Luke’s Health System since September 2009, a role that involves overseeing four full-service Idaho hospitals located in Boise, Meridian, Twin Falls and Ketchum. He is also the hospital director of Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service Inc. He holds a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

This House committee considers matters pertaining to the health of Idaho residents.

This Senate committee considers matters pertaining to the health of Idaho residents.