Montana Public Radio

Medicaid expansion

Medicaid Expansion Work Requirements Delayed By Pandemic, State Officials Say

By • Dec 4, 2020
Gov. Steve Bullock is joined by Rep. Mary Caferro, a Democrat from Helena, and Rep. Ed Buttrey, a Republican from Great Falls, and other lawmakers for the signing of HB 658, May 9, 2019. The bill reauthorizes the state's Medicaid expansion program.
Corin Cates-Carney / Montana Public Radio

The addition of work or “community engagement” requirements to Montana’s Medicaid expansion program has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

That announcement came Friday from the state health department.

Montanans’ Coverage, Hospital Revenue At Stake As Supreme Court Considers Affordable Care Act

By Kevin Trevellyan • Nov 19, 2020

As demand for federally subsidized health care significantly rises in Montana for the first time in several years, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to strike down the law that enabled expanded coverage. Health insurance experts liken a complete overturn of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to a “perfect storm” that would cause “complete chaos.”

Chelsia Rice co owns Montana Book Company in downtown Helena.

Campaign Beat: Health Care, Supreme Court Fights, Dinosaurs And The Munchies

By Sally Mauk & Holly Michels & Rob Saldin • Sep 25, 2020
'Campaign Beat' is Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program.

Montana's House candidates have their first debate. Ads in that race try to paint the other as the "outsider." The battle to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's court seat could impact Montana's Senate race. Health care and science dominate the race for governor. And marijuana returns to the ballot.

Listen now on Campaign Beat with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

COVID-19 And Health Care Issues Dominate U.S. House Debate

By • Sep 24, 2020
U.S. House candidates Kathleen Williams and Matt Rosendale debate on MontanaPBS, September 23, 2020.

Candidates for Montana’s lone U.S. House of Representatives seat met in a debate Wednesday night hosted by MontanaPBS. MTPR’s Shaylee Ragar reports that in their first match up this election cycle, Matt Rosendale and Kathleen Williams traded barbed words as they pitched themselves as the best person for the job.

Panel: COVID-19 Carries "Tsunami Impact" For Indigenous Communities

By Kevin Trevellyan • Sep 23, 2020

Community leaders reviewed COVID-19’s disproportionate impact to Indigenous people across Montana during a virtual roundtable on Sept. 23. They also considered ways to improve health outcomes among tribal members.

Democratic state Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy of Crow Agency lamented the rise of COVID-19 cases in tribal communities after Montana began reopening in June, during the panel discussion hosted by Protect our Care Montana

“It’s a tsunami impact upon our people across the nation,” Peregoy said.

Roughly 5 In 8 Montana Businesses Had Workers Enrolled In Medicaid Expansion Last Year

By Rachel Cramer • Sep 21, 2020

A new report released Tuesday says around 60 percent of Montana businesses last year had at least one worker enrolled in Medicaid expansion. Enrollment in the health care program for low income adults has been on the rise for the last four months.

At a meeting in Bozeman, Barbara Wagner, chief economist of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, said nearly 20 percent of the state’s entire workforce was enrolled in Medicaid at one point or another last year.

State Auditor Candidates Compare Resumes During Weekend Debate

By • Sep 8, 2020
A screen capture from the Sept. 6, 2020 MTN News debate between state auditor candidates Troy Downing (L) and Shane Morigeau (R). Moderator Mike Dennison appears below the candidates.

The candidates for Montana’s state auditor office squared off in a televised debate Sunday hosted by MTN News. The Republican candidate touted his past business experience as making him the most qualified to run the office. The Democrat argues he’s best prepared for the job due to his work as an attorney and state legislator.

Campaign Beat: Greens, Guns And Preexisting Conditions

By Person: Sally Mauk & Rob Saldin & Holly Michels • Aug 21, 2020
'Campaign Beat' is Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program.

Montana's Secretary of State loses his battle to keep Green Party candidates on the ballot. New campaign ads focus on family and gun rights. The two candidates for governor release their health care plans. The national party conventions may hold little sway over Montana races. And Governor Bullock rebukes State School Superintendent Elsie Arntzen in their ongoing dispute over school masking policy

Listen now on Campaign Beat with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

Cooney Releases Health Care Plan

By • Aug 19, 2020
Montana lt. governor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Cooney.
Courtesy

Montana’s Democratic candidate for governor announced a plan Wednesday that he says will increase access to health care and lower prescription drug prices.

The plan reiterates Lt. Gov Mike Cooney’s support for Montana’s Medicaid expansion program, which was reauthorized with bipartisan support during the 2019 legislative session. The plan also outlines several legislative actions Cooney would push aimed at decreasing the cost of prescriptions.

Pandemic Bumps And Backlash Shape Montana Race Poised To Steer US Senate

By Alex Sakariassen • Aug 5, 2020
Gov. Steve Bullock annonces his Coronavirus Task Force on March 3, 2020 in response to the growing number of cases reported in the United States. Bullock says the task force is a multi-agency group that will coordinate public health response.
Corin Cates-Carney / Montana Public Radio

Bradshaw Sumners watched throughout February as COVID-19 hot spots developed in major American cities, waiting to see when the coronavirus pandemic would manifest in Montana. When it finally did, life for the Livingston resident and father of two changed dramatically. His daughters, 8 and 4 years old, were suddenly home from school. The restaurant group where Sumners works maintenance shut down, thrusting him onto unemployment alongside legions of workers nationwide.

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