Second life for Medicaid in legislature

A push by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock to expand Medicaid coverage to about 70,000 Montanans faltered in the Montana House last week, but it was revived this week with a 26-24 favorable vote in the Montana Senate.

House Bill 590, sponsored by Chuck Hunter, D-Helena, was tabled in a House committee on March 28 on a 10-6 party-line vote.

Senate Bill 395, sponsored by Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula, passed on a second but not final reading in the Senate on April 2. Sens. Dee Brown, R-Coram, Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, and Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell, opposed the bill. Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, voted in support.

Conservative Republican leaders continued to oppose expanding Medicaid despite Bullock’s making the Medicaid expansion a high priority. But some Republicans have thrown their support for expanding Medicaid, including Sens. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, and Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls.

If Medicaid is expanded, individuals making less than $15,400 or families of four making less than $32,500 would be eligible. Single persons making minimum wage and working full time would not qualify — they make $16,224 a year.

Bullock claims expanding Medicaid coverage will create 17,000 more jobs in the state over the next seven years and would “focus on keeping people healthy.” But Republicans have said they’re worried about the cost of the bill, particularly after the federal government ceases to fully fund the program.