[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6628297,"mediaKeyId","2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8","parentId",2718398,"title","Appropriations subcommittee declines full summer EBT request; advocates urge restoration to reach children in rural areas","audioSeconds",5595,"startMs",5103000,"endMs",10698000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8&start=5103&end=10698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8/thumbnail_5103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628297/Montana/Appropriations-subcommittee-declines-full-summer-EBT-request-advocates-urge-restoration-to-reach-children-in-rural-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628297-eabd569664110f6833cd850492091494/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449056&Signature=hCQEV8FrQSVeRUFV3NbKwRIb0iTn4~wBUn~zvvQm~-IigFOjS9mItE7XCB4IJMOleQpgLRmhLmdxkIJyt2vzH9gcGFORRyn34HzU7Ym3c4l-IA~Hxvwy6K8h5~nnKsa6vL4bzfpQSMBD0GKUgHtnc286gaQsRjxgGdC6FIIuejRR060XrxHx1ssld52bW01Me-FN505KCgd7mi7e6eQkm7L1uxamioTpdPy4yob~~TshpRVuxQ1nYh81JxifMIeDt2sNJdpZq2dm556B88M3Bkc8G-pU0X1H-jc0FFRPkS9a0Iusy2M7sISXPZC0BGvNr2IHTpWM3x1CuDYHUtKP1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B) discussed but did not adopt the executive decision package that would have funded a statewide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program at the levels requested in the governor’s budget.

What the hearing covered: lawmakers, LFD staff and DPHHS representatives outlined how Summer EBT works and how it overlaps with the long‑standing Summer Food Service Program administered through the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Members heard data from agency and LFD staff about usage in Montana’s first pilot year and were told the federal Food and Nutrition Service offers Summer EBT under state plans.

Program details discussed in testimony
- Cards and benefits: DPHHS and legislative staff said state plans used by other jurisdictions provided households a benefit on an EBT card, and the department said the pilot issued about 47,000 cards and roughly 29,000 were used in Montana’s first year. Staff described each card as loaded with $120 for the summer period in the pilot.
- Cost and federal share: Chair Gillette described the biennial cost as roughly $20 million for the program (about $10 million per year) when modeled for the state and noted administration costs have a general‑fund component because administrative functions do not always receive full federal match.

Why the subcommittee did not move the executive DP in full: members said the existing Summer Food Service Program has many feeding sites (the department/OPI reported roughly 280 sites last summer) and serves congregate meals; the subcommittee questioned whether adding the EBT card program would be duplicative where feeding sites exist and whether EBT better targets children in areas without sponsors or sites. The subcommittee narrative records that the panel chose not to move the executive’s DP for the card program into the statutory appropriations and instead kept summer nutrition programs visible in HB2 for legislative oversight.

Public comment: multiple witnesses urged restoration of Summer EBT funding. Montana Food Bank Network child nutrition staff said Summer EBT reaches children in areas the traditional summer feeding program does not, citing that the Summer Food Service Program served about one million meals in 2024 but left a gap relative to school‑year feeding levels. \"Summer EBT is a research based policy,\" said Isabella Bucrieri of the Montana Food Bank Network during public comment, adding that USDA data show Summer EBT can reduce food insecurity among children.

Department comment: DPHHS staff told members Summer EBT remains an available federal program administered by USDA Food and Nutrition Service and that Montana operated under an approved FNS plan. The department discussed administrative costs and eligibility thresholds; staff said the program typically targets children certified for free or reduced‑price school meals and uses a 185% of federal poverty level threshold for eligibility in many states.

Ending: The subcommittee left Summer EBT administration details unresolved and asked the department for additional information on usage, overlap with existing summer feeding sites, site coverage in rural counties and precise budgetary impacts. Advocates asked lawmakers to reconsider restoring the DP to ensure children in counties without feeding sponsors have access to summer nutrition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Mar 20, 2025 16:15 - 21:00","oneSentenceSummary","The committee opted not to move the executive's full Summer EBT decision package into the HB2 narrative, citing overlap with existing summer feeding programs and cost; food‑security advocates and the Montana Food Bank Network told the panel the card‑based benefit reaches children in areas without congregate feeding sites and urged restoration.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628302,"Panel partially funds BISFIG behavioral health initiatives; electronic bed registry and 988 tech left for later",5450,2710000,8160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8&start=2710&end=8160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8/thumbnail_2710000.jpg","/articles/6628302/Montana/Panel-partially-funds-BISFIG-behavioral-health-initiatives-electronic-bed-registry-and-988-tech-left-for-later","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628302-4c2c5cf356fc085f04606e34c5a1de11/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449056&Signature=DeU6ssaXdUjj-cJzrPm2-~zBjSWM4NQ8uj8TqkcXZFm9OuDiUZZMCxe3r6hahCjPntBayZS~DoW~F7pzMfUTHHd6D45Ngnk7BaFGlJ-9i4ej3c3xBLDpOhsslcCMIY5H--zKQjiUgQ8GqTe2HTi1FJeb5lEupUuh1TQCYqVfwSzNdtDGLt8~SvEc3AJORadwX4va8ZtOaWuoXkZ~PhE5SyKqjdnKS2VSgoEzsFG3aQe8C0x5PBK89LVd0yTbSpm~Ir5~pBkCgW2gBJj4GAHiAkoo~qscUP1aWtpfjh7rrULnb4aOls2V8XSAv8aY~yFg9~W3Y3ti0IeKAsxJqIiZNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B) considered multiple recommendations from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations commission (often referred to in testimony as BISFIG or the 872 package). The subcommittee approved many BISFIG items but split or deferred others because of cost, revenue source timing and overlapping services.

What the subcommittee did and did not fund
- The chair and staff said the committee “approved the majority” of BISFIG recommendations and specifically listed a number of recommendation numbers that the subcommittee moved, including recommendation numbers 3 (tiered payments / higher‑acuity clinic support), 8 (care transition teams), 17 (rates for in‑state youth residential services), 18 (school‑based services), 19 (workforce incentives) and 22 (certified community behavioral health clinics, CCBHCs). Chair Gillette said several of those measures were adopted and incorporated into the section’s appropriations.
- The subcommittee did not fully fund BISFIG recommendation 9 as written. That recommendation included (a) an electronic statewide bed registry, (b) enhancements to 988 (text/chat capability and interoperability with 911) and (c) marketing. The committee elected to fund 988 marketing but declined (in whole or in part) to move the electronic bed registry and the 988 technology upgrades at this time; the chair and the director described the bed registry as a multi‑million dollar IT effort.

Why some items were deferred: committee members and staff said many BISFIG items were proposed as ongoing obligations paid from a state special revenue account created in 2023; that account contains one‑time funds and does not have a permanent revenue stream. Subcommittee members said they were mindful of ongoing obligations that could later require general fund support if state special revenues are not replenished.

Department perspective: DPHHS told the panel it supports reopening evaluation and diagnostic (E&D) clinics and expanding targeted case management but acknowledged overlap with other service models (for example, school child‑find activities and the newly proposed CCBHC structure), and the department and subcommittee sought ways to avoid duplication while preserving services.

Ending: Members asked the department for more specificity about how BISFIG recommendations will be implemented, whether parts can become Medicaid‑eligible over time, and the timetable and funding strategy for any ongoing obligations. The subcommittee indicated it will continue to track which BISFIG elements can be transitioned to sustainable funding streams.","The subcommittee advanced multiple Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BISFIG) recommendations but split or deferred several major items, including an electronic bed registry and text/chat upgrades for 988; members funded other recommendations such as care transition teams, workforce incentives and community clinic supports.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628307,"Legislators weigh funding, wages and repurposing plans to address staffing at Montana State Hospital and other state facilities",1707,609000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8&start=609&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8/thumbnail_609000.jpg","/articles/6628307/Montana/Legislators-weigh-funding-wages-and-repurposing-plans-to-address-staffing-at-Montana-State-Hospital-and-other-state-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628307-3eca3ab31437097d60ec851092e67690/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449056&Signature=bGv~7JnVJ6r-ae3plgsUUGRp72EyzwjKPttEQ57TZC5Gd6tsMenigBPGVXa7IGIymnR2WrjLoqPjcsR-qx2X55hw9GJM9vPa3Z9IXVETzjNnm0wosYpN5uXSFGStu5AgeITT3DmLFQJN-g42JmOSvEpe-bl8YuphLoashb-qqPyvLi2hEis6LJaeLm3XolOgjaxckFpv93Fu1qBHzrjDec~mFyXdJ2w3K6VSX~P7A9fwd2lTGopmARvNZAwxFrni6TEfLIdDemakuDd5rAARSaXRo4PPPsLwqiIQZLHCh~USTPIodjN5Ig-LhvfWoeve7EkjTQdlfwIBqQw3OpuTWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B) pressed DPHHS officials on staffing pressures and capital and operating requests for the state’s seven state‑run health care facilities, including the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.

DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton told the committee the department has “reduced contract clinical staff or traveler expenditure spending at MSH by approximately 25% per patient,” but said the facilities still “depend quite heavily on the travelers or contracted clinical staff to keep our doors open.” Brereton introduced Dr. Kevin Flanagan, the Montana State Hospital CEO, and described pay changes and hiring activity the department said are beginning to improve staffing stability.

What the agency reported
- Pay increases: The department said it implemented a $4‑per‑hour increase for RNs at the Montana State Hospital and built those increases into the base for all state run facilities. As presented, RNs now start at $45.47 per hour at MSH; psychiatric technician/CNA starting pay reported to the subcommittee was $23.85 per hour after adjustments.
- Hiring and vacancy changes: Since Jan. 1, 2025, DPHHS reported at least 66 state hires at MSH, including RNs, licensed practical nurses, psychiatric technicians/CNAs and other clinical and support staff. Director Brereton said RN vacancy rates improved from 79.5% in January 2025 to 67.4% and psych tech/CNA vacancy rates moved to just under 10%.
- Proposal to temporarily reduce budgeted positions: DPHHS asked to temporarily remove funding for 97.3 budgeted positions at MSH (and several other facilities) to make vacancy savings explicit and to shift funds toward contracted clinical services while recruiting and building state staffing capacity.

Capital and program DPs discussed and recorded in the subcommittee narrative
- The committee moved several decision packages related to the facilities, including a one‑time student loan repayment program ($3 million over the biennium) intended to improve recruitment and retention.
- The subcommittee approved funding for two near‑term repurposing projects that were described as $10 million each: repurposing a wing of the Lewistown mental health nursing center and using the “Grasslands” facility in Helena as a step‑down facility for patients leaving higher levels of care; the subcommittee narrative reports those DPs were moved.

Committee questions focused on whether the measures address both staffing shortages (recruiting clinicians) and bed availability (forensic and competency restorations). Director Brereton and Dr. Flanagan told members the problem is a mixture of both staffing and capacity, and that some solutions include recruiting out‑of‑state clinicians for short term needs while building state staff capacity.

Ending: Members asked for more detail about outcomes and the department’s timeline to return to the legislature if further position restorations are needed. The department said it expects to continue hiring and to report back on facility performance and vacancy metrics.","Lawmakers heard DPHHS and facility leaders describe recruitment, pay changes, vacancy reductions and near‑term facility investments aimed at reducing reliance on contract 'traveler' clinical staff at the Montana State Hospital and other state‑run facilities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628312,"Appropriations panel reviews DPHHS budget; FMAP decline, Medicaid caseloads and a 3% provider-rate increase drive costs",0,2069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8&start=2069&end=2069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718398-c12a011a7b877f08b363e35d2c862ad8/thumbnail_2069000.jpg","/articles/6628312/Montana/Appropriations-panel-reviews-DPHHS-budget-FMAP-decline-Medicaid-caseloads-and-a-3-provider-rate-increase-drive-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628312-8483a948dad25900217dc4008d45901f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449056&Signature=IragTvT5moVflPtY8xRAEenlCWgOiGe~h9BfknLFGchotleAZ~EoBJ-HnfzAw02Apf1K6OFm66lt1jM12cH5RafPURLTvL0v7ysUQEoNrmIepmfEZ-6xm2kED2QhnjiMXnWs2KDPQwOJhFz4rehh2BSr7QFRfZSLt17ghkotkzq9~SvOKD8iVBNrpxxjMznlYQDJT5I-WcxVM6iQdfXSeHitYrZ3rWOs2g8mD4Te0Tbg1tZth7LUaQRSuk165ioinxFNNIocqWxpD6QWDfPZZ9npnaUPo5chGmxUTcwb7Dq5ZtstowxfzQeEYJ94fSuUvWgBM~6u7Krj0x~JUtEcRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations subcommittee (Section B) opened a hearing on the Department of Public Health and Human Services’ portion of House Bill 2, where lawmakers heard that the DPHHS request for the 2027 biennium totals about $7.33 billion in all funds and places new pressure on the general fund.

Chair Joe Gillette, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B), opened the session, noting the committee’s extensive six‑week review of the agency and the number of senators and representatives sitting on the subcommittee. “This opens Section B,” Chair Gillette said at the start of the hearing.

Why it matters: DPHHS is one of the state’s largest spending agencies and the presentation made clear changes in federal matching (FMAP), Medicaid caseload forecasts and provider payments will determine how much state general fund support is needed. Director Charlie Brereton, director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, told the committee the executive request shows a reduction in some base dollars but a sizable increase in general‑fund need for the next biennium.

“The executive budget request for DPHHS represents a reduction over the base budget in state fiscal year 02/1926 and a slight increase in the base budget in state fiscal year 02/1927,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. He told members the request nevertheless reflects a 12% and 18% increase in general funds in the two fiscal years compared with base years, driven largely by changes to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage and spending for state‑run health care facilities.

Key figures and drivers
- DPHHS all‑funds total for the 2027 biennium presented to the committee: about $7.33 billion (the chair described this as roughly 1% lower than the '25 biennium figure).
- Medicaid expansion: Brereton described the program as a large line item, “about $2,000,000,000 over the biennium,” as presented in the executive budget.
- FMAP effects: committee members were told a 1 percentage‑point decrease in FMAP would increase state general‑fund obligations by roughly $16–$17 million.
- LFD caseload model: the subcommittee adopted Legislative Fiscal Division (LFD) Medicaid caseload projections in most places; adopting the LFD projections reduced the budget about $35 million compared with the executive’s numbers, according to the chair’s presentation.
- Provider rate increase: the subcommittee approved a 3% across‑the‑board provider rate increase; Chair Gillette said the 3% equals approximately $45 million in general fund and about $150 million in all funds.

During the presentation LFD staff demonstrated interactive budget tools and historical trends showing the DPHHS portion of state spending. LFD analyst Josh Platt walked members through state resources and spending classes and highlighted that Medicaid and related health services make up a very large share of the state budget.

What the committee decided (subcommittee level): members adopted the LFD Medicaid caseload methodology in most divisions and approved a 3% provider rate increase. The committee also declined to move one executive proposal that would have shifted SNAP into a statutory appropriation, choosing instead to keep SNAP appropriations visible in House Bill 2.

Staff and next steps: the department and LFD staff told members they will provide additional detail on decision packages and the biennial outlook, and the subcommittee indicated it will continue to reconcile provider‑rate, caseload and FMAP effects as the session progresses.

Ending: Committee members said they will watch FMAP and other federal factors closely and requested follow‑up material about DPHHS decision packages and assumptions. Director Brereton and LFD staff remained available for questions following the presentation.","House appropriations subcommittee Section B heard a detailed presentation on the Department of Public Health and Human Services budget. Members were told the agency’s 2027 biennium request totals roughly $7.33 billion in all funds, with general‑fund pressure driven by a falling FMAP, caseload projections and a 3% provider rate increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations subcommittee declines full summer EBT request; advocates urge restoration to reach children in rural areas

Panel partially funds BISFIG behavioral health initiatives; electronic bed registry and 988 tech left for later

Legislators weigh funding, wages and repurposing plans to address staffing at Montana State Hospital and other state facilities

Appropriations panel reviews DPHHS budget; FMAP decline, Medicaid caseloads and a 3% provider-rate increase drive costs