Republican unveils new bill to expand Medicaid

HELENA — With the governor’s Medicaid expansion proposal defeated, a Great Falls lawmaker unveiled another health coverage plan Tuesday that seeks to reduce the number of people in poverty and, over time, reduce the number of people who qualify for Medicaid.

The Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act was introduced by Republican Sen. Ed Buttrey in a news conference at the Capitol. It would accept federal funds to expand Medicaid eligibility to people with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level — about $16,200 per year for an individual in 2015 — but coverage would also come with various strings attached.

Senate Bill 405 would require people who enroll in the program to pay health care premiums and co-payments for certain services. Additionally, all those who choose to enroll would be asked by the state Department of Labor to participate in a workplace assessment survey for the creation of a job placement plan that could include training. It would focus on existing job needs and new health care jobs created through Medicaid expansion. 

“This is what we believe is a nonpartisan long-term solution to two of our most pressing issues, access to health care and a path out of poverty for the poor,” Buttrey said.

Fees also would be charged to people found to have hidden assets in order to qualify for coverage. 

An oversight committee would collect data on the efficiency and quality of the health care delivered and to make improvement recommendations to the Legislature. The bill would sunset in four years, allowing the Legislature the ability to renew it if it’s working, Buttrey said.

Because of the additional stipulations, Buttrey said the plan would need a federal waiver in order to implement the expansion. A handful of states have received similar waivers.

Buttrey said his bill has bipartisan support and that he sought input on it from his caucus, the Democratic caucus and legislative leadership as well as economic development agencies and federal officials.

Gov. Steve Bullock said in a statement Tuesday that he still believes his plan is the best approach to expanding health coverage in the state, but it isn’t about whose bill is passed.

“It’s about bringing our tax dollars home to expand health care to 70,000 Montanans and throw a lifeline to our rural hospitals. This bill would do just that,” he said. “Montanans expect us to put partisanship aside and focus on solutions. That is what I’m committed to doing.” 

It’s expected to get a first hearing on Friday.

Another Republican bill is advancing that would expand Medicaid coverage to about 10,000 veterans, low-income parents and some people with disabilities and would cost the state more than $20 million annually.