FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Contact: Senator Ben Toews
[email protected]
(208) 209-7791
Boise, Idaho – The Idaho Senate Republican Caucus proudly welcomes U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the Gem State today for a series of meetings with state officials and members of the Idaho Senate. Secretary Kennedy’s visit marks a significant opportunity to highlight Idaho’s leadership in advancing individual medical freedom, health responsibility, and state sovereignty in public health policy.
“We are honored to host Secretary Kennedy and grateful for his recognition of the bold and forward-thinking work Idaho has done to protect individual liberty in healthcare,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon (R-Declo). “His visit underscores what the people of Idaho already know: that our state is leading the nation in ensuring that health decisions remain between patients and their chosen healthcare providers – not in the hands of bureaucrats.”
The Idaho Senate Republican Caucus has spearheaded and passed some of the strongest MAHA legislation in the United States, including these bills with their Senate sponsors:
- S1014 – Vaccine Exemptions to Favor Parents by Sen. Camille Blaylock (R- Caldwell)
Gives parents in Idaho more authority in determining whether their children should receive certain vaccines, thus strengthening parental rights in their children’s health decisions. - S1031 – Science-based Health Policies by Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa)
Mandates health district boards focus only on necessary and reasonable health policies and regulations, ensuring all health measures are effective, safe, and based on latest scientific research. - S1038 – Establishing Boundaries with the WHO by Sen. Dan Foreman (R-Viola)
Draws clear lines when it comes to sovereignty in health policy, affirming that decisions impacting Idahoans’ health will be made in Idaho – not dictated by international bodies such as the World Health Organization. - S1210 – Idaho Medical Freedom Act by Sen. Dan Foreman (R-Viola)
Protects individuals’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions without undue interference from the state or employers. - S1211 – OTC Access to Ivermectin by Sen. Tammy Nichols (R-Middleton) and Sen. Kelly Anthon (R-Declo)
Allows Idahoans access to the medicine Ivermectin without a prescription, providing greater medical autonomy and affirming the right of Idahoans to pursue health treatments with guidance from medical professionals of their choosing. - H32 – Prohibiting Mask Mandates by Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa)
Eliminates the possibility of mask mandates being imposed on Idahoans, ensuring that personal freedoms are protected while focusing on informed choices for the state’s health. - H59 – Medical Ethics Defense Act by Sen. Carl Bjerke (R-Coeur d’Alene)
Safeguards healthcare professionals from discrimination when exercising their rights of conscience. - H90 – Curbing Bureaucratic Overreach in DHW by Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa)
Reforms the Department of Health and Welfare by curbing bureaucratic overreach, ensuring that the department operates transparently and respects the rights of Idahoans. - H109 – Promoting Healthy SNAP Choices by Sen. Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene)
Prohibits the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing unhealthy food like candy and soda, thus encouraging healthier food choices that support wellness and nutrition. - H345 – Medicaid Reform & Cost-Containment Act by Sen. Julie VanOrden (R- Pingree) and Sen. Carl Bjerke (R-Coeur d’Alene)
Guarantees that the Idaho Medicaid program focuses on reducing unnecessary costs while providing critical services to those in need, making the Medicaid program more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable. - S1330 – Expanding Naturopathic Healthcare Access – Sen. Kelly Anthon (R-Declo)
Allows Idaho healthcare professionals to expand their scope of practice to naturopathy and voluntarily become dual-licensed professionals, giving Idahoans and Idaho practitioners more healthcare options and increasing the number of licensed naturopathic healthcare professionals available for alternative and integrative healthcare.
“Freedom in health care is not a fringe idea – it is a fundamental right,” said Majority Caucus Chair Senator Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene). “Idaho is proud to lead the nation in standing up for that right.”
Secretary Kennedy’s background as a longtime advocate for medical transparency and individual choice in health care makes his visit particularly meaningful to Idaho lawmakers who share a similar vision. Today’s meetings focus on collaborative opportunities between the state and federal government to support community health, responsible innovation, and the protection of individual rights.
As Senate Republicans, we remain committed to ensuring that the people of Idaho – not unelected officials, not international organizations, and not federal mandates – are the ones who decide how to manage their health in consultation with trusted medical professionals.
Contact:
Idaho Senate Republican Caucus Chair Ben Toews (208) 755-3213 or
Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon (208) 431-5863
Office Phone: (208) 332-1300
About Idaho Senate Republican Caucus
The Senate Republican Caucus is committed to preserving freedom, promoting personal responsibility, and delivering commonsense solutions that reduce regulatory burdens and support Idaho’s small businesses. Visit their website at https://www.idahosenategopcaucus.com/
