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Committee advances continuous-eligibility measure, moves multiple bills; one concurrence fails and one bill tabled
Summary
During executive action the House Health and Human Services Committee amended and passed House Bill 386 (continuous Medicaid eligibility) 16–5 as amended, passed House Bill 403 by voice vote, concurred in several Senate bills, failed to concur on Senate Bill 112 (tally 1–20), and tabled Senate Bill 194.
The House Health and Human Services Committee completed executive action on several bills after hearings. Vice Chair Ettrick moved that House Bill 386 do pass; the committee approved an amendment (386.10.1) offered by Representative Howell and then passed the bill as amended. The committee reported a roll-call tally of 16 yes and 5 no on HB 386 as amended.
House Bill 386 would direct the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for reinstatement of 12-month continuous eligibility for certain Medicaid coverage groups; the committee approved an amendment to clarify waiver language and to direct submission of a new waiver where needed, per Representative Howell’s explanation of the amendment.
Mille staff summarized the fiscal implications noted in the hearing: the fiscal analysis estimated an 11% churn under the current system and that continuous eligibility would reduce churn, with an estimated decrease of 3,727 applications per year noted in committee discussion.
The committee then moved other items in executive action. Commissioner Hetrick moved House Bill 403 do pass; HB 403 (requiring the Montana State Hospital to grant access to a legislator) passed by voice vote and will proceed to the House floor. The committee also concurred in Senate Bill 82 and Senate Bill 144 by voice vote and placed both on the calendar to move to the House floor.
Concurrence on Senate Bill 112 failed on a recorded count reported in committee as 1 yes, 20 no; the committee’s clerk indicated the item would be returned to members’ packets. The committee tabled Senate Bill 194 after a motion to table and will await additional requested procedural information before further action.
Nut graf: The committee’s actions included a notable policy approval — reinstating continuous eligibility for certain Medicaid groups — and a mix of procedural outcomes (concurrences, a failed concurrence and a tabling) affecting several bills that will move to the House floor or be held for additional information.
Ending: Several proxy votes were recorded on voice votes and the committee recorded specific roll-call results where provided (HB 386: 16–5; SB 112 concurrence: 1–20). Members directed staff to produce or finalize two requested amendments for upcoming executive actions.
