Healthcare

SB 82 establishes a new program within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to support individuals under age 55 with severe visual impairments in achieving independent living goals. The bill defines "severe visual impairment" as a disability that significantly hinders daily tasks even with correction, and outlines specific services including mobility training, Braille instruction, assistive technology, and peer counseling. Eligibility is determined by the department based on established criteria, with services provided based on available funds and consumer needs, while also guaranteeing a fair hearing for those disagreeing with decisions. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to Montana residents meeting the defined criteria.

This bill makes Montana's community health aide program permanent by removing its previously scheduled expiration date. It directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for Medicaid coverage for services provided by certified community health aides. The change directly affects community health aides and their patients, particularly in rural and tribal communities, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services without future legislative renewal.

HB 195 revises Montana’s cap on non-monetary damages (like pain, suffering, and emotional distress) in medical malpractice cases. It immediately raises the limit from $250,000 to $300,000, with scheduled annual increases: $350,000 in 2026, $400,000 in 2027, $450,000 in 2028, $500,000 in 2029, and 2% annual increases thereafter. The cap applies per patient per incident and is determined by the date the claim was first filed (with the medical panel or in court), not the trial date. This directly affects patients filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers defending such cases.

HB 41 adds gabapentin to Montana's Schedule V list of controlled substances under the "depressants" category. This change directly affects medical providers who prescribe gabapentin (used for nerve pain, seizures, and other conditions), pharmacists who dispense it, and patients using the medication. The bill amends Montana Code § 50-32-232 to explicitly include gabapentin - identified by its chemical name "1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid" - in Schedule V depressants alongside drugs like pregabalin. This policy update standardizes gabapentin's regulatory classification without altering its medical use or prescribing rules.