Idaho receives more federal funding relative to its total spending than two-thirds of all states. And because of its near-bottom average wages, it is reimbursed for social programs at a higher rate than all but two. The state’s proposed budget for next year is one-third funded by federal dollars—a rate more or less consistent over the last several years.

The topic of federal dollars to Idaho has come up in renewed discussions about expanding Medicaid, an option that comes with a windfall of more federal cash. Opponents don’t want to add to federal spending, don’t want to make Idaho more reliant on the federal government and don’t like the idea of the feds dictating policy by attaching dollars to the offer.

But Idaho already takes billions from the feds. Federal dollars boost the economy by paying for military jets, helicopters and bases, dams, parks, forests and nuclear research — all under federal control. The state itself relies hugely on Washington for everything from highways to health programs under state control. How much? The Statesman decided to take closer look at the sources of funding for the next year’s proposed state budget, now being reviewed by the Legislature.

SNIP-

Expansion supporters cite the existing flow of federal dollars to make the case that Idaho already relies on federal funds for a long list of programs and services including transportation, education, agriculture, economic development, unemployment claims, land management and social programs like the existing Medicaid programs. In fact, more than half the federal aid Idaho now receives goes for Medicaid.