Senate blasts Medicaid expansion bill to floor for debate

HELENA (AP)  — Senators have voted to blast a Republican lawmaker’s Medicaid expansion bill out of committee and to the floor for debate.

The motion passed by a 28-22 vote on Thursday. The majority included all 21 Democrats and seven Republicans, including the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Ed Buttrey of Great Falls. Buttrey introduced Senate Bill 405 last week, touting it as a compromise bill. Kalispell-area Sen. Bruce Tutvedt was another Republican voting with the Democrats.

Republican Majority Leader Matt Rosendale had urged all Republicans to vote down the measure on grounds that the committee should have a chance to offer amendments.

The measure would accept money from the federal government for expanding Medicaid eligibility to low-income Montanans, but requires them to pay premiums each month as well as co-payments for certain services.

Those who enroll would also be asked to participate in a workplace assessment survey designed to help people obtain higher-paying jobs.

Buttrey estimates about 45,000 Montanans would enroll in the program in the next four years.

The measure is set for a second reading floor debate and a vote on Friday.

(The Daily Inter Lake contributed to this report.)