Department of Health and Welfare
Department of State
The Department of Health and Welfare administers Idaho's public health, behavioral health, and public assistance programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, serving vulnerable children, adults, and families statewide. With roughly 3,000 employees and an annual budget of about $6 billion, it is one of Idaho's largest state agencies, and its rulemaking authority—formerly shared with a Board of Health and Welfare repealed by the Legislature in 2026—now rests solely with the Director.
Established by: Idaho Code Title 56, Chapter 10