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Health Care Ballot Proposal Cleared for Signature-Gathering

By Beacon Staff

HELENA — The Montana Secretary of State’s office has approved for signature-gathering a proposed ballot initiative that would bar Montana from funding or enforcing the nation’s health care law.

The proposal by Bozeman attorney and state House candidate Matthew Monforton also would prevent Montana from participating in a health-insurance exchange and would prohibit the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.

A separate proposed ballot measure would expand Medicaid, and Montana already participates in the federal health insurance exchange that is part of the Affordable Care Act.

A fiscal review says Monforton’s proposal would save Montana about $1.9 billion in state revenue but cost $4.75 billion in lost federal revenue over five years.

Monforton has until June 20 to collect 24,175 voter signatures to place it on November’s ballot.