Healthcare

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 187: Generally revise medicaid laws

SB 187 would revise Montana's Medicaid program by eliminating the termination date for the Medicaid expansion (making it permanent) and adding new coverage for auxiliary personnel services (like community health integration and illness navigation) and traditional healing services (provided by tribal or Indian health facilities). These changes would directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly in rural and tribal communities, by expanding access to these specific services. The bill also amends existing Medicaid service provisions and repeals outdated sections of the law to implement these updates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates Medicaid expansion termination date, adds coverage for community health integration and traditional healing services, expanding access for rural/tribal communities.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 Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 135: Eliminate termination of chemical dependency voucher program

This bill would have repealed a 2023 law (Section 7, Chapter 187) that was set to terminate Montana's chemical dependency treatment voucher program. It aimed to prevent the program's end by removing the termination provision, ensuring continued funding for individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment. The bill specified immediate effectiveness upon approval but did not become law. It died in the legislative process in May 2025, so the voucher program's termination date remains in effect as originally scheduled under the 2023 law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aimed to prevent termination of substance use disorder treatment funding, protecting mental health care access under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 354: Prohibit purchase of soft drinks and candy with SNAP benefits

SB 354, the "Montana Healthy SNAP Act," would require Montana's Department of Public Health to request a federal waiver prohibiting the use of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) to buy soft drinks and candy. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients in Montana by restricting purchases of these items, which the legislature states are the most commonly bought non-nutritious items with SNAP funds. Key provisions include mandating a federal waiver request with a public health justification, an implementation plan for retailers, and annual reporting on spending patterns and health impacts. The bill defines "candy" as non-refrigerated sweet items and "soft drinks" as nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or juices with >50% fruit/veg content).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts SNAP use for unhealthy items to improve public health outcomes, aligning with public health program goals through nutrition policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 378: Create a tribal relations management team at DPHHS

SB 378 establishes a Tribal Relations Management Team within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), creating two specific roles: a Tribal Relations Manager and a Director of American Indian Health. The Tribal Relations Manager coordinates government-to-government consultations with tribal governments, facilitates policy development with tribes, and prepares annual reports to the governor. The Director of American Indian Health identifies health disparities between tribal and non-tribal populations and develops strategies to improve health equity. This bill directly affects DPHHS operations and tribal governments by mandating structured collaboration on health programs and reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Director of American Indian Health role to identify/address health disparities within DPHHS, directly supporting healthcare improvements for tribal communities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 112: Revise laws related to state purchase of opioid antagonists

SB 112 would prohibit Montana state funds (including federal funds) from purchasing opioid reversal drugs after June 30, 2025, from companies involved in opioid settlement agreements. It allows existing contracts for these drugs to continue until fulfillment but bans renewal after the deadline, and requires continued supply under settlement agreements signed before September 1, 2024. The bill directly affects state agencies purchasing opioid reversal medications and pharmaceutical companies that settled opioid-related lawsuits. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits state funds from purchasing opioid reversal drugs after 2025 from settlement-participating companies, restricting access to life-saving overdose treatment and weakening public health response to opioid crisis.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 558: Establish a nurse health corps

HB 558 establishes the Montana Nurse Corps Act, enabling licensed nurses to provide home health care visits to specific patient groups at a fixed $10 fee per visit. It directly affects eligible patients (those enrolled in Medicare/Medicaid or with family income under 400% of the federal poverty level) and participating nurses who join the program. Key provisions include limiting nurse charges to $10 per visit for eligible patients, shielding nurses from liability for ordinary negligence (except gross negligence), and requiring patient notice of this liability protection. The bill also outlines nurse eligibility requirements and program oversight by the state nursing board.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables low-cost home health visits ($10/visit) for Medicare/Medicaid/low-income patients, expanding access to care through a new nurse corps program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 185: Provide for continuous healthy Montana kids plan eligibility for children under 6

HB 185 directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to implement continuous eligibility for children under six years old in the Healthy Montana Kids plan. This means eligible children would remain enrolled in the program until their sixth birthday, regardless of changes in family income or other circumstances that might otherwise make them ineligible. DPHHS is required to apply for the necessary federal waivers and state plan amendments by July 1, 2025, and implement the continuous eligibility within six months of federal approval. The bill aims to provide consistent health coverage for young children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures continuous health coverage for children under six without income-based interruptions, expanding access to healthcare services95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 364: Generally revise laws related to immunizations

HB 364 proposes to update laws concerning student immunizations and exemptions in K-12 schools. It would require school governing authorities to submit written reports on student immunization and exemption data to state and local health departments. These reports must only contain deidentified or aggregate information, ensuring student privacy. The Department of Public Health and Human Services would determine the specific form and schedule for these reports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school immunization data reporting for public health oversight, strengthening disease prevention efforts under healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires deidentified health data reporting to protect student privacy, aligning with tech policy data protection standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 851: Create department of health services

HB 851 proposes to create a new state agency called the Department of Health Services. This new department would take over specific human services functions currently managed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. These transferred responsibilities include the administration of developmental disabilities services, mental health services (like the Montana State Hospital), chemical dependency services, and veterans' long-term care facilities. The bill also provides an appropriation for the new department, grants it rulemaking authority, and requires its contracts to include dispute resolution clauses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new department via appropriation, funding transferred health services functions (e.g., mental health, veterans care) as part of state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new department to manage mental health, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependency services with funding, advancing healthcare delivery95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly transfers veterans' long-term care facilities to new department and includes funding appropriation for these services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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