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Committee concurs on HB 419 to fund recurring Medicaid provider-rate assessments
Summary
Senate Finance and Claims concurred with HB 419, which carries a $1.2 million one-time fiscal note (half federal funds, half general-fund match) to begin recurring provider-rate assessments every four years; proponents said updated rates are necessary to stabilize behavioral-health and other Medicaid providers.
Representative David Beatty (House District 86) opened the hearing on House Bill 419 and explained the fiscal note includes a $1,200,000 one-time appropriation, half of which is federal funds and half a general-fund match, to complete a provider-rate assessment expected to recur at least every four years. He said the appropriation would establish a methodology to make future rate-setting decisions more data-driven.
Gene Hermanson, Medicaid chief financial manager, said the department supports HB 419 and the committee’s questions about how the appropriation would be used were addressed in the fiscal note. Ella Currier of Consumer Direct Care Network, representing Montana in-home care providers, and Sierra Riesberg of the Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana urged concurrence, saying current Medicaid rates are outdated and a recurring, structured review would reduce fiscal strain on providers and support continuity of services for vulnerable residents.
The sponsor closed and the committee moved to executive action; a motion to concur was approved (proxies assumed as yes) and the committee concurred with HB 419.
