Healthcare

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 14, 2025

SB 422: Generally revise laws relating to insurance coverage relating to cancer

SB 422 requires Montana health insurers to cover FDA-approved drugs for advanced or metastatic cancer without forcing patients to first fail other treatments. It prohibits insurers from demanding that patients prove they've tried and failed alternative drugs before approving coverage for new treatments that align with national cancer guidelines. This directly affects patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer in Montana, ensuring faster access to potentially life-saving medications without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The law applies only to drugs approved by the FDA and consistent with evidence-based cancer treatment protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers cover FDA-approved cancer drugs without prior treatment failure requirements, improving patient access to life-saving treatments per national guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 11, 2025

SB 537: Generally revise marijuana tax laws

SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects marijuana tax revenue to specific public service accounts (12% to addiction treatment, 20% to wildlife, 14% to behavioral health), increasing funding for state programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates 12% to HEART account for addiction treatment and 14% to behavioral health initiatives, directly supporting rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of marijuana tax revenue to wildlife habitat projects, directly funding environmental conservation as specified in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 12% to HEART for addiction/mental health and 14% to behavioral health, directly funding healthcare programs under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 72: Provide presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage of home and community-based services

SB 72 creates a "presumptive eligibility" process for Montana Medicaid, allowing people with physical disabilities or who are elderly to immediately access home and community-based services like personal care, meal delivery, medical equipment, and emergency response systems while awaiting full Medicaid approval. It requires a screening process by trained staff (including tribal entities, hospitals, or aging agencies) to verify income, residency, and need, with applicants having 30 days to apply for ongoing Medicaid coverage. The program aims to prevent hospitalizations or institutional care by providing temporary coverage during the application period, ending after 30 days or when full eligibility is determined. The bill requires state approval from CMS before implementation and was vetoed by the governor in May 2025, with a legislative override attempt failing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates immediate Medicaid access to home/community services for disabled/elderly, expanding coverage without full approval process95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 244: Revise laws related to health insurance coverage of behavioral health screening

SB 244 requires all health insurance plans sold in Montana to cover behavioral health screenings and assessments at no cost to the insured. This applies to state employee health plans, disability insurance, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and self-funded workplace plans. Screenings must use standardized, evidence-based tools, but are optional - insured individuals must actively request them. The bill amends Montana insurance codes to include these coverage requirements, ensuring people can access mental health screenings without out-of-pocket costs when they choose to participate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost behavioral health screenings in all insurance plans, expanding access to mental health services without cost-sharing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Montana · House Jun 12, 2025

HB 832: Establish PTSD nonmedication therapy training grant program

HB 832 creates a Montana state grant program to fund training for healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, awards grants to entities developing 2-year projects that train licensed providers (including Veterans Affairs-certified professionals) in these therapies, develop treatment protocols, and engage in community planning. It appropriates $600,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium as a one-time allocation, requiring grantees to report outcomes like providers trained, patients served, and treatment impact by 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $600,000 from state general fund for PTSD therapy training program, directly funding a public health service under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health provider training for nonmedication PTSD therapies, advancing access to alternative treatments under healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds PTSD therapy training for VA-certified providers, directly improving veterans' access to nonmedication treatment options and healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 610: Revise preauthorization laws relating to healthcare

HB 610 would have removed a requirement for prior approval (preauthorization) under Montana's Medicaid program for specific FDA-approved antipsychotic drugs. These drugs must be recognized in the latest DSM-5 as effective for certain mental health conditions. The bill would have directly affected Medicaid patients needing these medications and their healthcare providers, who would no longer need to seek pre-approval for covered antipsychotics. The law would have applied to claims for services provided after its effective date. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor and the veto override failed, so this policy change did not take effect.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves preauthorization for FDA-approved antipsychotics in mental health care, improving patient access to necessary medications without bureaucratic delays.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 216: Creating the Montana physicians' workforce investment act

SB 216 creates Montana's Physicians' Workforce Investment Act, establishing a task force to administer grants for health sector facilities (like hospitals) to launch or expand residency and fellowship programs. The grant program provides up to $2 million per facility to support new graduate medical education programs, requiring applicants to submit accreditation plans, 2-year financial projections, and 5-year sustainability strategies. This directly affects Montana hospitals seeking to train medical graduates (those with medical degrees but without residency completion) and aims to address physician shortages by increasing training opportunities. The task force must report annually on grant usage, program locations, specialty fields, and accreditation status to the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $2M grants for hospitals to expand medical residency programs, directly strengthening physician workforce development and healthcare access in Montana.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 295: Restoring the right for injured worker to choose their own doctor.

SB 295 would restore Montana injured workers' right to choose their own treating physician for initial treatment and ongoing care under workers' compensation, without being forced to use a managed care organization (MCO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) without consent. The bill requires insurers to allow workers to select a physician from a designated list for initial treatment and to change physicians with the insurer's approval (with mediation available if approval is denied). It also mandates that insurers provide individual written notice (not workplace postings) before referring workers to an MCO or PPO. This directly affects injured workers seeking medical treatment for work-related injuries in Montana, giving them more control over their healthcare decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores injured workers' right to choose treating physician, improving healthcare access without insurer-imposed MCO/PPO restrictions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestores injured workers' right to choose physicians under workers' comp, protecting healthcare access and advancing labor rights without forced MCO/PPO use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 563: Creating the Montana Bridge to Medical Residency Act

SB 563 would create a temporary "provisional resident license" for recent medical school graduates in Montana who have passed initial licensing exams but haven't yet secured a residency position. This license allows them to provide supervised patient care under a licensed physician's direct oversight through a formal collaborative agreement, with a maximum duration of two years total. The bill directly affects new physicians seeking their first clinical roles while awaiting residency placements. It amends Montana's medical licensing laws to establish specific qualifications, fees, and supervision requirements for this temporary license.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables provisional medical licensure for new grads awaiting residency, expanding access to healthcare services under supervision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 199: Revise the Medicaid expansion program

SB 199 revises Montana's Medicaid expansion program (the Montana HELP Act) by introducing monthly "taxpayer integrity fees" for participants meeting specific asset thresholds. It requires fees based on excess real estate value ($5,000+ above homestead limits), vehicle equity ($20,000+ combined value), or agricultural land taxable value ($1,500+ annually), with a base fee of $100 plus $4 per $1,000 over limits. The bill also updates community engagement rules, mandating 80 monthly hours of work-related activities for 19-55-year-olds (with exemptions for medical conditions, caregivers, students, and others). These changes directly affect Medicaid expansion participants owning significant assets or required to meet work participation standards.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareAdds asset-based fees to Medicaid, restricting access for participants with property/vehicle equity, effectively limiting program eligibility and coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

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