Healthcare

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 199: Increase physician assistant membership on the board of medical examiners

HB 199 proposed to modify the composition of the Montana State Board of Medical Examiners. The bill aimed to reduce the number of doctor of medicine members on the board from five to four. Concurrently, it sought to increase the number of physician assistant members from one to two. This adjustment would directly affect the representation of these medical professionals on the 12-member board.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases PA representation on medical board, potentially enhancing provider roles in healthcare policy and access to services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 884: Establish a behavioral health trust fund

HB 884 sought to establish the Montana Behavioral Health Trust Fund and an oversight board to support behavioral health services statewide. It would have created a permanent endowment, with only the interest generated from it being transferred quarterly into a special revenue account. This account would fund grants for various eligible purposes, including mental health programs in public schools, expanding crisis care services, and providing support for individuals experiencing homelessness. A newly formed seven-member board would have been responsible for administering the fund, determining grant priorities, and monitoring the effectiveness of funded services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates trust fund using interest to fund mental health programs via state finance appropriations, aligning with funding essential services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates behavioral health trust fund to fund mental health programs, school services, and crisis care via dedicated interest revenue, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 526: Adopt the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license compact

HB 526 proposes that the state join the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) compact. This initiative allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses licensed in one member state to practice in other compact states without needing to obtain a separate license for each. The bill establishes a framework for uniform licensure requirements and facilitates the exchange of information between states for regulatory and enforcement purposes. Its aim is to streamline the licensing process for APRNs and enhance their ability to provide care across state lines, potentially increasing access to healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines APRN licensing across states, improving patient access to healthcare services by removing regulatory barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 230: Generally revise Medicaid laws

HB 230 proposed to revise Montana's Medicaid laws, directly affecting current and prospective Medicaid clients. The bill aimed to eliminate work requirements and premiums, while establishing 12-month continuous eligibility for certain populations like parents and adults in the expansion program. It also sought to improve customer service by streamlining application processes, enhancing digital communications, and providing a phone hotline. Additionally, the bill intended to establish a Medicaid Client Advisory Board to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services and repeal the termination date of the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates work requirements/premiums, establishes 12-month eligibility, and streamlines access - directly expanding Medicaid coverage and improving patient access per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 689: Provide for pricing transparency requirements for hospitals

HB 689 aimed to increase pricing transparency for hospitals. It required hospitals to publish a comprehensive list of all their standard charges for medical items and services, including gross charges, negotiated rates with third-party payors, and discounted cash prices. This information was to be made available on hospital websites in both machine-readable and consumer-friendly formats. The bill also included provisions for reporting to state departments, prohibiting debt collection by non-compliant hospitals, and allowing for enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to publish transparent pricing, improving patient access to cost information and aligning with consumer protection in healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 621: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables peer support programs for first responders, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables peer support programs for first responders' mental health, expanding access to mental health services as a core healthcare component.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes mandatory peer support programs for first responders, enhancing workplace mental health and safety protections through confidentiality and written policies, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 867: Revise labor laws relating to the medical assistance program

HB 867 establishes a medical assistance program specifically for licensed chiropractors and veterinarians. This program provides support and monitors rehabilitation for these professionals who are impaired by substance abuse, mental illness, or chronic physical illness. To fund this initiative, the bill allows the respective boards to adjust the license renewal fees for chiropractors and veterinarians. It also updates existing laws concerning the confidentiality and auditing of professional medical assistance programs to include these new licensee groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical assistance program for impaired chiropractors/vets, funding via license fees to support healthcare workforce well-being and rehabilitation services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 888: Revise local board of health rules for isolation and quarantine

HB 888 revises the powers of local boards of health concerning isolation and quarantine orders. This bill prohibits local boards of health from requiring individuals to receive a vaccination or other medication as a condition for release from an isolation or quarantine order. It amends existing state law (Section 50-2-116, MCA) that outlines the duties of these boards. The legislation also includes an appropriation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory vaccinations/meds during quarantine, protecting patient autonomy in health decisions per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 590: Generally revise laws related to electronic health care records

HB 590 revises laws related to electronic health records, affecting health carriers, healthcare providers, and patients. It requires health carriers to establish and maintain specific application programming interfaces (APIs) for patient and provider access to health information, adhering to federal standards. Additionally, the bill prohibits healthcare providers from "information blocking" and mandates the disclosure of certain sensitive test results, such as those indicating malignancy or genetic markers, to a patient's electronic health record within 72 hours of finalization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health carriers to provide API access for patient/provider data, prohibits information blocking, and mandates disclosure of sensitive results - improving patient access and transparency per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare