Healthcare

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 · 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 274: Provide medicaid coverage for medical respite care for homeless people

HB 274 sought to establish a medical respite care program in Montana for homeless individuals who are eligible for Medicaid. This program would have provided short-term housing in residential facilities with supportive medical services for those recovering from illness or injury but not requiring hospitalization. Services would have included treatment plan monitoring, medication management, immunizations, discharge planning, and transportation for medical appointments. The bill directed the Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek federal approval for the program and to report annually on its costs and the number of individuals served.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands Medicaid coverage for medical respite care, providing health services to homeless individuals and improving access to recovery support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides short-term housing via medical respite care for homeless individuals, directly addressing homelessness and advancing housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 943: Establish the Montana rare disease advisory council

HB 943 establishes the Montana Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This 17-member council, composed of patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders, will provide guidance, education, and recommendations on the needs of individuals with rare diseases in Montana. Its duties include surveying patient needs, developing policy recommendations for improved access to care and treatment, publishing resources, and identifying research opportunities. The council is required to meet regularly and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, and the bill includes an appropriation to cover initial costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to develop policy recommendations for improved rare disease care access, directly advancing patient access and treatment resources within healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 621: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables peer support programs for first responders, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables peer support programs for first responders' mental health, expanding access to mental health services as a core healthcare component.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes mandatory peer support programs for first responders, enhancing workplace mental health and safety protections through confidentiality and written policies, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 867: Revise labor laws relating to the medical assistance program

HB 867 establishes a medical assistance program specifically for licensed chiropractors and veterinarians. This program provides support and monitors rehabilitation for these professionals who are impaired by substance abuse, mental illness, or chronic physical illness. To fund this initiative, the bill allows the respective boards to adjust the license renewal fees for chiropractors and veterinarians. It also updates existing laws concerning the confidentiality and auditing of professional medical assistance programs to include these new licensee groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical assistance program for impaired chiropractors/vets, funding via license fees to support healthcare workforce well-being and rehabilitation services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 888: Revise local board of health rules for isolation and quarantine

HB 888 revises the powers of local boards of health concerning isolation and quarantine orders. This bill prohibits local boards of health from requiring individuals to receive a vaccination or other medication as a condition for release from an isolation or quarantine order. It amends existing state law (Section 50-2-116, MCA) that outlines the duties of these boards. The legislation also includes an appropriation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory vaccinations/meds during quarantine, protecting patient autonomy in health decisions per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare