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Panel considers adding chiropractors and veterinarians to medical-assistance program
Summary
House Bill 867 would authorize Montana’s Medical Assistance Program (MAP) for licensees under the Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Board of Veterinary Medicine; supporters said it provides treatment options for licensees with substance-use or mental-health issues and keeps clinicians working while they receive care.
Representative Greg Oblander introduced House Bill 867, which would add licensees under the Montana Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Board of Veterinary Medicine to the state’s Medical Assistance Program (MAP) — an existing confidential program that helps licensed practitioners who suffer from substance-use disorder, mental illness or other health issues that affect their ability to safely practice.
Proponents said the program lets affected licensees enter supervised treatment while maintaining work where appropriate, preserving income and allowing clinicians to address underlying problems before discipline escalates. Bridal Griffin of the Montana Chiropractic Association and Stuart Doggett of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association voiced support; Doggett told the committee veterinarians have experienced burnout and substance problems and that MAP could provide a pathway to treatment.
Commissioner Sarah Swanson (Department of Labor and Industry) described the department’s role as the contracting authority for MAP and said the program is already statute-backed for boards including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing; HB 867 would add chiropractic and veterinary boards to that list. She also noted MAP providers are subject to review and audit for effectiveness.
Witnesses said funding for MAP is commonly covered by a board-managed mechanism (renewal-fee adjustments) so participation does not require a general-fund appropriation. The committee asked clarifying questions about program process and confidentiality; no opponents testified. The hearing closed with the committee thanking witnesses and with no recorded vote during the session.
