Generally revise Medicaid laws to improve customer service
HB 885 aims to improve customer service for Medicaid applicants and recipients in Montana. It requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to implement mobile-first technology for online applications and renewals, utilize text and email for communications, and ensure written notices are in plain language and translated. The bill also mandates the DPHHS to provide expected wait times and callback options for hotline callers and to reopen 10 local public assistance offices by June 30, 2026. Additionally, it establishes quarterly reporting requirements to the legislature on various Medicaid client service metrics.
Bill status
died
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Mar 26, 2025
Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0885_2(3).pdf
→
HB0885_2(4).pdf
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill amended the requirement for the Department of Public Health and Human Services to reopen ten local public assistance offices by June 30, 2026. The criteria for selecting these locations were updated to include specific metrics on hotline call volume, travel distance to existing offices, and Medicaid disenrollment rates. Additionally, the funding appropriation was significantly reduced from $3 million to $200,000 per year for the 2025-2026 biennium.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's operational requirements was narrowed by reducing the allocated budget for the office reopening initiative.
TIMELINE
The deadline to reopen ten local offices remains June 30, 2026, but the selection criteria were expanded to include hotline call percentages, travel distance, and Medicaid disenrollment statistics.
FISCAL
The annual appropriation for implementing the office reopening plan was reduced from $3 million to $200,000.
Floor votes · House Apr 4, 2025
How they voted
45–49
Failed · 6 other
Total votes 100
Apr 4, 2025
D
Democratic42
97% Yea
R
Republican58
84% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
29
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 4, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (45-49-6)
house
Apr 4, 2025
Amended
(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Committee
(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Human Services
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Human Services
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
S.J. Howell
DDemocratic
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