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Advocates report mixed results at Helena: SB95 tabled; Medicaid expansion advances; local town meeting set for March 10
Summary
Members who attended the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention advocacy day reported SB95 — targeted veterans-suicide funding — was tabled in committee, while legislation renewing Medicaid expansion advanced out of committee. The council announced a March 10 town meeting with legislators in Livingston.
Park County Local Advisory Council members who attended advocacy day in Helena on Feb. 17 reported mixed progress on state priorities: SB95, a veterans-targeted suicide-prevention funding bill, was tabled in committee; a separate bill to renew Medicaid expansion advanced out of committee and passed the House.
Eleanor (LAC member) summarized advocacy activity and said the group met legislators to discuss SB95, which would have created a grant pot for veteran suicide prevention and funded statewide outreach. She noted the bill “got tabled in committee,” and council members described that as a setback.
Members said the Medicaid-expansion renewal had moved through committee and “in theory, it should do fine on the senate floor,” though they cautioned the Senate had been chaotic. Eleanor described the committee vote as a key hurdle and said passage out of committee was encouraging.
Local follow-up: The Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council is hosting a town-hall-style event during the legislative break on Monday, March 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Shane Ballroom in Livingston; organizers expect multiple local legislators to attend and will offer food.
Why it matters: Medicaid expansion affects coverage for many residents; a veterans-suicide funding pot could have provided grant opportunities for local programs. Council members encouraged residents to track the bills and attend the March 10 event.
Ending: Members said they will monitor the bills and consider outreach to local legislators if priorities shift during the rest of the session.
