Medicaid Expansion has made a great difference in Montana
As a nurse practitioner in Missoula, prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I was initially surprised that so many patients came from rural areas — especially Lake County. Some had very little money and could be late because they had hitchhiked or waited on a ride from a friend. Ours was a specialty practice, but much of the work could have been done nearer people’s homes if there had been a program in place. Then as now, rural hospitals, and some rural practices, were struggling — and rural people were struggling.
The ACA, which, for Montana, included Medicaid Expansion, has made a great difference. Research has shown that this program, covering care that would have otherwise been charity care, improves finances of all hospitals — but especially rural hospitals. This does not mean that these hospitals are getting rich, but they are surviving.
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