What’s Happening:
The Montana State Legislature will soon consider whether to keep Montana Medicaid as it is today.
Protecting Healthcare in Montana
Why it Matters:
Since coverage was expanded in Montana in 2015, Medicaid in Montana has cut the number of uninsured Montanans in half, supported rural healthcare providers and allowed more low-income, working Montanans to get the care they need for mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Our current Montana Medicaid is a cost-effective, lifesaving program that has worked successfully for 10 years in Montana and is considered one of the most efficient programs in the country.
Now is not the time to rip the rug out from under a successful safety net that is one of the cornerstones of our healthy communities and economy.
Without action from the Montana legislature, 80,000 Montanans stand to lose coverage and the Montana state budget would see a negative fiscal impact, driving up healthcare costs for all.
Continuing the current Montana Medicaid program as it is today is the right thing to do for our communities.
Today, Montana’s Medicaid program:
- Provides funds that support rural and critical access hospitals, ensuring they can provide accessible, local care.
- Ensures our low-income working community members have health coverage and access to the care they need.
- Reduces the burden on hospital emergency services and improves the overall health of our communities.
- Supports the entire ecosystem of healthcare – from dentists and local pharmacies to doctors, treatment centers, social workers, physical therapists and more.
“Medicaid expansion is the only reason that me, and millions of people around the country, and thousands of people around Montana, are able to go to the doctor at all.”
Ali Wahl
Sheridan, MT
85
of Montanans said in a recent survey that they want to keep the current Medicaid program as it is today.
80,000
Montanans would lose their health coverage if the state legislature does not continue Montana’s Medicaid program as it is today.
77
of Montana’s adult Medicaid participants are employed or attending school. The majority of the rest of Medicaid recipients are either caretakers or have a disability that prevents them from working.
90
of services for Montana Medicaid enrollees are paid for by the federal government, with the state only paying for 10%.
2/3
of Montana Medicaid enrollees live in rural areas, making this an important health coverage option for rural Montanans.
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