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House committee hears testimony on HB185 to extend continuous Medicaid coverage for children under 6
Summary
Representatives and dozens of health, tribal and provider witnesses testified in favor of House Bill 185, which would direct the state to apply for a Medicaid/CHIP waiver to provide continuous eligibility for young children (sponsor said an amendment would narrow a five‑year approach to three years); the committee requested a fiscal note and amendment before acting.
Representative Staffman introduced House Bill 185 to the House Human Services Committee, asking the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for a Medicaid/CHIP waiver allowing multi‑year continuous eligibility for children from birth until their sixth birthday. Staffman said the bill aims to reduce administrative churn that causes eligible children to lose coverage and cited national momentum: "Since then, there are now 9 states that have actually sought and received waivers," he said, and added the committee would soon see an amendment changing the proposal from five years to three years.
Multiple proponents — tribal leaders, pediatric providers, mental‑health advocates and statewide medical organizations — testified in support. Lance Forster (Montana American Indian Caucus) submitted a…
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