Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 918: Authorize transfers and other necessary measures to implement HB 2-Section B

House Bill 918 requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to report on its progress in developing a plan to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's *Olmstead v. L.C.* decision. This decision focuses on providing services for individuals with disabilities in community-based settings rather than institutions. DPHHS must provide quarterly updates to the health and human services budget committee during the legislative interim regarding this plan. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2025, and is set to terminate on September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DPHHS to implement Olmstead v. L.C., advancing community-based disability healthcare access and patient rights, directly aligning with healthcare improvement indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 953: Revise medicaid laws related to direct primary care

HB 953 revises Montana's Medicaid laws to allow for the coverage of direct primary care contracts under the state's Medicaid program. This bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees by providing them the option to use these services. It also prohibits the Department of Public Health and Human Services from requiring an enrollee to participate in primary care case management if they opt for a direct primary care contract. The bill provides a definition for "direct primary care contract" and includes an appropriation to support these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for direct primary care, improving patient access and removing case management requirements per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 881: Revise medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities

HB 881 proposed to revise the existing Medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities. This would expand eligibility for the program, allowing more children with disabilities to access Medicaid services. The bill also included an appropriation and extended rulemaking authority for the relevant department to implement these changes. It aimed to amend specific sections of Montana law concerning Medicaid administration and eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes specific appropriation to fund expanded Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, directly advancing essential public health funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, increasing healthcare access through new appropriations and policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 880: Establish a stabilization fund for medicaid

HB 880 establishes the Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account, a state special revenue fund designed to help maintain Medicaid benefits during state revenue shortfalls. The account would be primarily funded by transferring any unused state general fund appropriations for Medicaid at the end of a fiscal year. Funds from this account could only be appropriated by the legislature for state Medicaid matching funds after the budget director certifies a projected general fund deficit. This mechanism aims to mitigate expenditure reductions in the Medicaid program, directly affecting the stability of services for beneficiaries. The bill also includes an initial appropriation of $50,000 for state Medicaid matching funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account using unused general fund appropriations to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, protecting essential program funding through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid Stabilization Reserve to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, preventing cuts to healthcare coverage and ensuring continued funding for Medicaid services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 218: Provide for private right of action for injuries caused by certain medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria

SB 218 establishes a private right of action, allowing minors, their legal guardians, or estates to file civil lawsuits against healthcare professionals and physicians. These lawsuits can be brought for injuries caused by specific medical interventions, including certain surgeries, hormone therapies, and puberty blockers, when provided to minors to treat gender dysphoria. Liability may arise if the injury is proximately caused by a deviation from the applicable medical standard of care. The bill sets a statute of limitations for these actions and clarifies that it does not apply to treatments for medically verifiable disorders of sex development or complications from prior medical treatments.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill creates legal liability for providers of gender dysphoria treatments (hormones, puberty blockers, surgeries) to minors, restricting access to these healthcare services through potential lawsuits.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 740: Revise laws relating to pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and other entities

HB 740 revises laws affecting pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and other entities involved in prescription drug dispensing and reimbursement. The bill establishes new restrictions on how PBMs can audit pharmacies and recoup funds, such as prohibiting recoupment for clerical errors without actual financial harm and banning the use of extrapolation in calculations. It also updates regulations for Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) lists and reference pricing, requiring PBMs to ensure drugs on MAC lists are available and to frequently update and disclose pricing information to pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts PBMs from unfair recoupment (e.g., clerical errors without harm) and mandates fair MAC/reference pricing, protecting pharmacies and improving patient access to medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 601 establishes an online portal by May 1, 2026, to assist Medicaid applicants and enrollees. This portal allows designated "community assisters" to help individuals apply for Medicaid coverage and submit required documents. Key functions include enabling assisters to review application status, view department notices, report eligibility changes, and update contact information for their clients. The portal also allows, but does not require, assisters to submit initial applications or redeterminations and upload verification documents. This aims to streamline the application process for individuals seeking Medicaid assistance through community organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines Medicaid application process via portal, improving access to healthcare coverage for low-income individuals by facilitating community assister support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 687: Revise age of expanded Medicaid participants required to engage in community engagement activities

HB 687 revises the age range for expanded Medicaid participants who are required to engage in community engagement activities. Previously, participants aged 19 to 55 were subject to this requirement. This bill extends that upper age limit, now requiring individuals from 19 to 62 years old to participate. Affected participants must complete 80 hours per month in activities such as employment, education, work training, or community service, unless they qualify for an exemption. This change directly impacts expanded Medicaid recipients between the ages of 56 and 62.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends mandatory community engagement requirements for Medicaid participants, potentially restricting access to healthcare coverage by adding new compliance barriers for 19-62-year-olds.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 495: Eliminate the tobacco prevention advisory board

Senate Bill 495 eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board. The bill repeals the specific section of law that established this board. It also amends existing statute to remove the board from the list of entities funded by state special revenue accounts, which are primarily used for tobacco disease prevention programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The direct effect is the dissolution of the advisory board, which previously provided guidance for these programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds tobacco prevention and CHIP programs by removing advisory board from state special revenue accounts, directly eliminating funding streams.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDissolves tobacco prevention advisory board, removing it from state funding lists for tobacco disease prevention programs, directly defunding public health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 170: Eliminate termination date of community health aide program

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMakes community health aide program permanent, directs Medicaid coverage application, ensuring continued rural/tribal healthcare access without legislative renewal90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMakes community health aide program permanent, ensuring continued employment and Medicaid coverage for workers serving rural/tribal communities, aligning with worker protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare