Kyle Pfannenstiel

Kyle Pfannenstiel

[email protected]

Kyle Pfannenstiel is a reporter for the Idaho Capital Sun focusing on health care. He previously covered rural health care and the COVID-19 pandemic for the Post Register and Report for America and worked as a night reporter at the Idaho Press. He fell in love with storytelling as a reporter at The Argonaut, the student newspaper at University of Idaho, and later worked as media relations manager at the university. His family is from Idaho Falls. He lives in Boise, where he spends his time cycling, brewing coffee and walking with his two small poodles.

After contract dispute with East Idaho hospital, Legislature’s task force to study health insurers
Idaho

After contract dispute with East Idaho hospital, Legislature’s task force to study health insurers

Aug 03, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
After a major health insurer dropped an East Idaho hospital from its network, Idaho Republican legislative leaders founded a new working group of state lawmakers tasked with studying the practices of health insurance companies. The formation of the taskforce, formally...
Idaho reports three heat-related deaths amid hot, smoky weather
Idaho

Idaho reports three heat-related deaths amid hot, smoky weather

Jul 30, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Three Idahoans over the age of 55 died from heat-related complications in the past week, state health officials announced Thursday. The cluster of deaths — the first heat-related deaths reported in Idaho this year — came as temperatures in the...
Idahoans who are ‘medically frail’ are exempt from Medicaid work requirements. How do you prove it?
Idaho

Idahoans who are ‘medically frail’ are exempt from Medicaid work requirements. How do you prove it?

Jul 28, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Starting next year, Idahoans on Medicaid expansion will need to prove they’re working to keep accessing the health insurance public assistance program. That’s only if they don’t meet one of several carveouts, like going to school, or being a caregiver...
In Idaho, a public transit program can take you to the doctor. If it has enough funding.
Idaho

In Idaho, a public transit program can take you to the doctor. If it has enough funding.

Jul 27, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
For Ann Kirkwood, doctor appointments sometimes come all at once. One week in mid-May, she had a big one coming up: To see if she had kidney cancer. Kirkwood, who uses a wheelchair, has tapped a free medical transportation program...
Idaho’s strict Medicaid work requirements to start next year. Most meet the rules, official says.
Idaho

Idaho’s strict Medicaid work requirements to start next year. Most meet the rules, official says.

Jul 24, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho state health officials plan to start implementing work requirements for people on Medicaid expansion starting next year. Idaho Republican lawmakers and Gov. Brad Little in April adopted the work requirements from President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act...
Want to weigh in on Prop 1, the Idaho abortion ballot initiative? Here’s how.
Idaho

Want to weigh in on Prop 1, the Idaho abortion ballot initiative? Here’s how.

Jul 24, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho state election officials are asking the public to weigh in on a proposed ballot initiative to end the state’s strict abortion ban . The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office will feature some arguments in favor and against the ballot...
After ‘tight budget year,’ Idaho ends fiscal year with positive cash balance
Idaho

After ‘tight budget year,’ Idaho ends fiscal year with positive cash balance

Jul 17, 2026
Clark Corbin Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho ended the 2026 fiscal year this summer with a positive ending cash balance that allows the state to transfer about $250 million into next year’s fiscal year 2027 state budget, Gov. Brad Little’s office announced Friday. “What we are...
Idaho committee keeps governor housing stipend flat. But what about building a mansion?
Idaho

Idaho committee keeps governor housing stipend flat. But what about building a mansion?

Jul 17, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
After a legislative session marked by budget cuts, a panel of state lawmakers voted to keep flat the governor’s housing allowance. One of just five states without an official residence for the governor, Idaho has for more than two decades...
In East Idaho, a vaccinated adult contracted measles near outbreak area in Wyoming
Idaho

In East Idaho, a vaccinated adult contracted measles near outbreak area in Wyoming

Jul 15, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
In East Idaho, health officials are reporting that a vaccinated adult contracted measles in Teton County, near a Wyoming travel destination area that’s under an active measles outbreak . The case marks Idaho’s 10th case of measles this year. That...
‘Stop threatening your friends’: Idaho Attorney General’s Office lawyer blasts Justice Department
Idaho

‘Stop threatening your friends’: Idaho Attorney General’s Office lawyer blasts Justice Department

Jul 14, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
In response to one of the Trump administration’s latest attempts to intervene in state election processes, a high-ranking Idaho state government lawyer representing the state’s top election official sent the U.S. Justice Department a stern letter. Early last week, the...
Idaho reports first parasitic diarrhea infection amid nationwide outbreak
Idaho

Idaho reports first parasitic diarrhea infection amid nationwide outbreak

Jul 14, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho health officials on Tuesday reported the first local case of a parasitic intestinal infection that is spreading across the U.S. Idaho’s first case this year of a cyclospora infection was in an Idahoan who traveled out of state before...
Vaccine skeptic Dr. Ryan Cole to stay on board of Idaho’s largest public health district
Idaho

Vaccine skeptic Dr. Ryan Cole to stay on board of Idaho’s largest public health district

Jul 14, 2026
Kyle Pfannenstiel
Dr. Ryan Cole, an Idaho pathologist who has been a vocal critic of COVID vaccines, is staying on the board that advises the state’s largest public health district. Cole’s re-appointment — initiated nearly a month ago by the Ada County...