Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 953: Revise medicaid laws related to direct primary care

HB 953 revises Montana's Medicaid laws to allow for the coverage of direct primary care contracts under the state's Medicaid program. This bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees by providing them the option to use these services. It also prohibits the Department of Public Health and Human Services from requiring an enrollee to participate in primary care case management if they opt for a direct primary care contract. The bill provides a definition for "direct primary care contract" and includes an appropriation to support these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for direct primary care, improving patient access and removing case management requirements per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 535: Revise laws related to experimental treatments

SB 535 revises laws related to experimental treatments, primarily by requiring experimental treatment centers to obtain a license from the state department. These centers must adhere to operational standards and pay licensing fees. The bill also mandates that licensed centers allocate 2% of their net annual profits to support access to experimental treatments for qualifying Montana residents. This allocation can be fulfilled by providing free treatment or contributing to a new Insurance Premium Support Account. This account is established to help fund health insurance premiums for eligible Montana residents who purchase insurance on the federal marketplace and meet specific income criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 2% profit allocation for patient access to experimental treatments, directly expanding access and funding under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 319: Generally revise health care laws related to doulas

This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure standards for doulas (nonmedical healthcare support), formalizing their role in pregnancy/postpartum care and improving professional standards within healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 881: Revise medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities

HB 881 proposed to revise the existing Medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities. This would expand eligibility for the program, allowing more children with disabilities to access Medicaid services. The bill also included an appropriation and extended rulemaking authority for the relevant department to implement these changes. It aimed to amend specific sections of Montana law concerning Medicaid administration and eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes specific appropriation to fund expanded Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, directly advancing essential public health funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, increasing healthcare access through new appropriations and policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 880: Establish a stabilization fund for medicaid

HB 880 establishes the Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account, a state special revenue fund designed to help maintain Medicaid benefits during state revenue shortfalls. The account would be primarily funded by transferring any unused state general fund appropriations for Medicaid at the end of a fiscal year. Funds from this account could only be appropriated by the legislature for state Medicaid matching funds after the budget director certifies a projected general fund deficit. This mechanism aims to mitigate expenditure reductions in the Medicaid program, directly affecting the stability of services for beneficiaries. The bill also includes an initial appropriation of $50,000 for state Medicaid matching funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account using unused general fund appropriations to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, protecting essential program funding through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid Stabilization Reserve to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, preventing cuts to healthcare coverage and ensuring continued funding for Medicaid services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 218: Provide for private right of action for injuries caused by certain medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria

SB 218 establishes a private right of action, allowing minors, their legal guardians, or estates to file civil lawsuits against healthcare professionals and physicians. These lawsuits can be brought for injuries caused by specific medical interventions, including certain surgeries, hormone therapies, and puberty blockers, when provided to minors to treat gender dysphoria. Liability may arise if the injury is proximately caused by a deviation from the applicable medical standard of care. The bill sets a statute of limitations for these actions and clarifies that it does not apply to treatments for medically verifiable disorders of sex development or complications from prior medical treatments.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill creates legal liability for providers of gender dysphoria treatments (hormones, puberty blockers, surgeries) to minors, restricting access to these healthcare services through potential lawsuits.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 740: Revise laws relating to pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and other entities

HB 740 revises laws affecting pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and other entities involved in prescription drug dispensing and reimbursement. The bill establishes new restrictions on how PBMs can audit pharmacies and recoup funds, such as prohibiting recoupment for clerical errors without actual financial harm and banning the use of extrapolation in calculations. It also updates regulations for Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) lists and reference pricing, requiring PBMs to ensure drugs on MAC lists are available and to frequently update and disclose pricing information to pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts PBMs from unfair recoupment (e.g., clerical errors without harm) and mandates fair MAC/reference pricing, protecting pharmacies and improving patient access to medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 687: Revise age of expanded Medicaid participants required to engage in community engagement activities

HB 687 revises the age range for expanded Medicaid participants who are required to engage in community engagement activities. Previously, participants aged 19 to 55 were subject to this requirement. This bill extends that upper age limit, now requiring individuals from 19 to 62 years old to participate. Affected participants must complete 80 hours per month in activities such as employment, education, work training, or community service, unless they qualify for an exemption. This change directly impacts expanded Medicaid recipients between the ages of 56 and 62.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends mandatory community engagement requirements for Medicaid participants, potentially restricting access to healthcare coverage by adding new compliance barriers for 19-62-year-olds.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 56: Establish ambulance provider assessment fee program

HB 56 establishes an assessment fee program for ground ambulance providers licensed in the state. These providers will pay a uniform fee of 5.75% of their net operating revenues annually to the Department of Revenue. The revenues generated from this assessment are specifically designated to supplement Medicaid payments for ambulance services. The bill also outlines procedures for reporting, collection, auditing, and penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates mandatory 5.75% fee on ambulance providers to generate revenue specifically designated for Medicaid ambulance payments, directly funding public healthcare services via new state revenue.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes fee to fund ambulance services via Medicaid supplementation, directly supporting healthcare access and provider reimbursement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed both · Montana · Senate May 6, 2025

SJ 49: Interim study of youth and family behavioral health prevention

SJ 49 requests an interim study of youth and family behavioral health prevention programs across Montana. An interim committee will be designated to comprehensively review these programs, focusing on their funding, workforce, and delivery settings for youth under 18. The study aims to identify gaps in the state's behavioral health system and assess how prevention efforts divert youth and families from crises, with findings to be reported to the 70th Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill initiates study to identify gaps in youth mental health prevention programs, aiming to strengthen system through comprehensive review of funding, workforce, and delivery settings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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