Mental health providers in Idaho are facing significant challenges in stabilizing severely mentally ill patients following reductions in Medicaid funding for essential behavioral health programs. One of the most affected initiatives is the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, a critical resource that has provided support for decades to individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses, including major depression. The funding cuts, implemented in December 2023, have severely limited the availability of services that were crucial for these patients.
ACT was designed to meet clients in their homes and communities, offering tailored support that many have come to rely on. According to Sara Bennett, a clinician based in Lewiston who previously managed the regional ACT program, the loss of funding has left many patients in a precarious state. “We spent a year and a half stabilizing them. And now they’re both very much unstable and their symptoms are very significant,” Bennett stated, referring to two patients now struggling without access to necessary anti-psychotic medications.
One of the key components of the ACT program included funding for a nurse who would provide medical treatment alongside behavioral health care workers. Without this support, patients have faced delays in receiving critical medications. Bennett noted that about a third of the former ACT patients her team assisted have been unable to maintain any services, while another third are receiving care inconsistently.
The broader implications of these cuts are significant. The Idaho Association of Community Providers (IACP) estimates that the reductions could cost local taxpayers upwards of $150 million. This financial burden primarily impacts homeowners in Boise and other service-area hubs like Idaho Falls and Pocatello. Co-director of IACP, Ric Boyce, emphasized the cost implications for local taxpayers, estimating that they may face an increase of between $200 and $800 per person each year due to rising emergency care needs.
The cuts have not only affected access to medications but have also heightened health risks for clients. Boyce recounted a tragic instance where a former ACT patient died following a post-procedural infection that could have been prevented with timely medical interventions. “Normally, we would’ve had multiple team members with eyes on that person. We would’ve identified that they needed medical care,” he explained.
In conjunction with these challenges, the Behavioral Health Crisis Centers in Regions 6 and 7, located in Pocatello and Idaho Falls, have reported a surge in patient visits. According to a news release from Rehabilitative Health Services, which provides staffing for these centers, there was a 34% increase in client visits in December 2023 compared to the previous year, followed by a staggering 43% increase in January 2026.
Both Bennett and Boyce are actively engaging with legislators, advocating for the restoration of funding for ACT and other critical behavioral health services. Their efforts underscore the urgent need for support systems to address the rising mental health crisis in Idaho. As the state grapples with the consequences of these funding cuts, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to ensure the well-being of its most vulnerable populations.
