fbpx
Skip to content

Senate Blasts Medicaid Expansion Bill to Floor for Debate

The measure would accept money from the federal government for expanding Medicaid eligibility

By Dillon Tabish

HELENA — Senators have voted to blast a Republican lawmaker’s Medicaid expansion bill out of committee and to the floor for debate.

The motion passed by a 28-22 vote on Thursday.

Sen. Ed Buttrey of Great Falls introduced Senate Bill 405 last week, touting it as a compromise bill.

The measure would accept money from the federal government for expanding Medicaid eligibility to low-income Montanans, but requires them to pay premiums each month as well as co-payments for certain services.

Those who enroll would also be asked to participate in a workplace assessment survey designed to help people obtain higher-paying jobs.

Buttrey estimates about 45,000 Montanans would enroll in the program in the next four years.

The measure is set for a second reading floor debate and a vote on Friday.

Don’t worry, we’ll always be free.

But continued community support is what makes our reporting possible. Please consider a one-time or recurring gift to help sustain independent journalism in northwest Montana. Every donation is injected straight into the newsroom.

Thanks so much for backing us over all these years.

I’ll Support Your Work