Cherie’s Story

“Losing those services supported by the benefits of Montana’s expanded Medicaid program would dramatically impact our entire community.”

As President of Logan Health – Cut Bank and Logan Health – Chester, Cherie Taylor has seen firsthand the stabilizing force Montana’s expanded Medicaid program has become for rural healthcare in Montana.  

For one, it has allowed both facilities she oversees to add services and staff thanks in part to a significant drop in uncompensated care costs.  

“Since Medicaid was expanded to cover low-income adults, it has been the safety net that has meant zero critical access hospitals in Montana have closed since 2010,” Cherie said. “We started getting paid for what used to be uncompensated care. When we were able to shrink those costs, we were able to invest in services.” 

Logan Health – Cut Bank has added two Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors to its clinic staff, which added behavioral health services that weren’t offered in the clinic before. They’ve also added a physical therapist and now bring mobile MRI services to the community.  

These services are utilized by everyone, regardless of if they’re covered by private health insurance or programs like Medicaid.   

“Losing those services supported by the benefits of Montana’s expanded Medicaid program would dramatically impact our entire community,” Cherie said.  

The ripple effect of the positive impacts of Montana’s expanded Medicaid program reaches beyond the walls of the hospital.  

The Montana State Legislature expanded Medicaid in 2015 to include coverage for low-income adults ages 19-64. Since then, data shows that 77% of Montana’s adult Medicaid participants are employed or attending school. The average length of time people are covered is less than two years. 

“What we’ve proven in Montana is that if you give people a path forward with health, they can get to the next level, so they don’t need continual help,” Cherie said. “That’s the real shift—we’re seeing people getting healthier and staying in the workforce. They’re not having major health episodes that take them out of the workforce.” 

Several local business owners have noted to Cherie that they have the staff to stay open more. That’s especially important in the Glacier National Park area around Cut Bank, where tourism and seasonal employment is high.  

“The impacts on things like workforce and the economy are what people don’t necessarily see, but have a direct impact on us all,” Cherie said.