Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 535: Revise laws related to experimental treatments

SB 535 revises laws related to experimental treatments, primarily by requiring experimental treatment centers to obtain a license from the state department. These centers must adhere to operational standards and pay licensing fees. The bill also mandates that licensed centers allocate 2% of their net annual profits to support access to experimental treatments for qualifying Montana residents. This allocation can be fulfilled by providing free treatment or contributing to a new Insurance Premium Support Account. This account is established to help fund health insurance premiums for eligible Montana residents who purchase insurance on the federal marketplace and meet specific income criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 2% profit allocation for patient access to experimental treatments, directly expanding access and funding under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 35: Joint resolution urging changes to federal wildfire policy

HJ 35 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging federal officials to modify current federal land management and wildfire policies. It calls for an aggressive initial attack on wildfires across all federal lands and for federal forest roads to remain open for access and fire suppression. The resolution also recommends that EPA air quality standards include wildfire smoke and that federal "let it burn" policies be reversed, ensuring NEPA processes are followed. Finally, it advocates for increased involvement of state and local governments and stakeholder groups in federal fire management decisions to protect Montana's communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdvocates for EPA air quality standards including wildfire smoke and reversing 'let it burn' policies to protect natural resources and reduce pollution from wildfires.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates including wildfire smoke in EPA air quality standards, a public health program, strengthening air quality measures affecting health.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly urges federal forest roads to remain open for fire suppression access, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 476: Establish grant program for newborn safety devices

HB 476 establishes a grant program to fund the installation and maintenance of newborn safety devices. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will award competitive grants, up to $20,000 per applicant, to eligible fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies. The department is also responsible for creating rules for the application process and evaluation criteria. The bill appropriates $160,000 from the general fund for this program, which is effective July 1, 2025, and terminates on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $160,000 from general fund for newborn safety device grants, directly funding a public service program under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds newborn safety devices in hospitals via public health department, directly supporting infant healthcare services and public health programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 218: Revising the practice of optometry to include certain laser procedures and in-office surgical procedures

HB 218 revises the practice of optometry by expanding the scope of services licensed optometrists can provide. It permits optometrists to perform certain in-office surgical procedures and laser surgical procedures, specifically limited to the anterior segment of the eye and adnexa. However, the bill explicitly excludes penetrating intraocular surgery, intravitreal injection, and refractive surgery. To perform laser surgical procedures, optometrists must be certified by the board after completing required didactic and clinical training. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to include anterior eye procedures, increasing patient access to specialized eye care without requiring ophthalmologist referrals for specific services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 253: Mandate disclosure of certain information in public health emergency

HB 253 mandates that the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) disclose specific health information daily during a declared public health emergency. This bill requires the DPHHS to publish on its website the total number of individuals hospitalized and those who have died due to the emergency, while adhering to confidentiality laws. For these categories, the department must provide breakdowns by age group, gender, length of hospitalization, date of death, and any contributing underlying conditions or personal characteristics. The aim is to provide the public with detailed, aggregated data about the health impacts of an emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public disclosure of health data during emergencies to enhance transparency and public health response, aligning with healthcare protection goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Feb 28, 2025

HB 41: Generally revise dangerous drug schedule

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.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts access to gabapentin (a medical treatment) by adding it to controlled substance schedule, limiting prescribing/dispensing for nerve pain/seizures without clear healthcare advancement.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare