Gov. Gianforte signs bill to renew Medicaid expansion, health care for 77,000 Montanans
- On January 22, Representative Ed Buttrey, a Republican from Great Falls, introduced House Bill 245 to the House Human Services Committee in the state Capitol, as one of several proposals concerning the future of Medicaid expansion.
- Medicaid expansion, first approved in 2015 and covering over 75,000 low-income adults in Montana, was set to lapse this summer without legislative action, prompting proposals ranging from Democratic overhauls to Republican efforts to scale back its reach.
- House Bill 245, which maintains existing community engagement requirements, quickly gained favor, buoyed by an unexpected bipartisan Senate majority of Democrats and nine Republicans, and was supported by various groups including the Montana Chamber of Commerce, tribal governments and hospitals.
- Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 245 into law on Thursday, renewing Medicaid expansion mostly in its current form and removing the sunset clause, ensuring the Legislature will not be required to reconsider the policy in the future; however, the governor supports work requirements and undefined guardrails on the low-income health coverage program, stating the 'safety net' of Medicaid 'should be there for those who truly need it'.
- Despite the renewal, the future of Medicaid expansion remains uncertain due to potential federal policy changes under the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress that could reduce reimbursement rates, potentially requiring a special legislative session to address the resulting budget challenges, as even a one-percentage-point reduction in the federal reimbursement rate would cost the state an additional $10 million.
15 Articles
15 Articles
The Billings Gazette
Gov. Gianforte signs bill to renew Medicaid expansion, health care for 77,000 Montanans
The signing of the bill marks a major victory for Democrats and some Republicans who saw preserving health care for roughly 77,000 Montanans as a top priority this session.
Montana Free Press
Without fanfare, Gianforte signs bill to continue Medicaid expansion program
The program, approved by a bipartisan coalition but strongly opposed by hard-line fiscal conservatives, will continue to cover health care costs for a segment of low-income Montana adults.
Governor Signs Bill To Continue Medicaid Expansion - Northern Plains Independent
A bill to lift the 2025 sunset on Montanat’s Medicaid expansion program was signed into law Thursday, March 27, by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte — though without a press release or public fanfare. In a written statement Friday morning, a spokesperson for the governor said he supports the “safety net” of Medicaid “for those who truly need it,” while endorsing work requirements
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