When a child needs specialized medical care, that location may not be nearby. For many Idaho families, that distance can be a barrier to care — one that Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho and St. Luke’s are working together to close.
Access to care continues to be a high-priority health need across Idaho, as one of three identified in the 2026 Community Health Needs Assessments. The number of providers available and other social drivers of health, such as transportation and insurance coverage, contribute to the need.
Compounding this, the number of available providers per 100,000 people is 74.1 in Idaho, much lower than the national average of 90.8. Uninsured rates in Canyon, Twin Falls and Jerome counties also fall below state and national rates.
Many families are left to negotiate the cost of care, with the costs and logistics of getting specialty services or care that requires extended stays.
RMHC of Idaho removes some of those barriers by providing free lodging, meals and support for families whose children are hospitalized.
In 2025, the organization served 2,494 families at its Boise house and its family room at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, providing 9,370 nights of lodging and saved families more than $1.25 million in lodging and meal expenses. It served families from 39 of Idaho’s 44 counties, reflecting how far people travel for care in a state where medical providers are concentrated in just a few population centers.
This content is sourced from
St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
