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Montana House votes to keep Medicaid expansion (HELP Act) in place, rejects key waiver amendment
Summary
The Montana House voted to recommend that House Bill 245, which would remove the statutory sunset for the HELP Act Medicaid expansion, do pass after hours of debate and votes on amendments; a proposed amendment to direct the department to reapply for a federal waiver failed, but the main motion passed 63-37 in committee and later on the floor.
Representative Frank Butchery, sponsor of House Bill 245, urged members to retain Montana’s Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Act permanently, arguing the program has reduced uncompensated care, supported rural hospitals and increased workforce participation. "This program is a great example of Montana ingenuity," Butchery said on introduction of the bill, citing statutory language and prior session work.
The bill’s nut graf: HB 245 would remove the scheduled sunset on the HELP Act and leave the program in statute so funding and eligibility decisions are handled through the regular appropriations and legislative process rather than by automatic expiration. Supporters described the program as having cut the uninsured rate and…
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