HELENA, Mont. – Montana will implement work requirements on its Medicaid expansion population on July 1, becoming just the second state to proceed ahead of the federal mandate of January 2027, per HR 1.
The access to care that about 80,000 Montanans get through Montana Medicaid has led to better overall health outcomes including reduced risk for cancer and other deadly diseases. It also serves to support critical health infrastructure, specifically our rural care networks.
Montanans who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level – $45,580 in annual income for a family of four -- are eligible for the program, which is often the difference between hard-working people getting access to care or being forced to choose between paying for private insurance or other expenses, such as groceries or a tank of gas. Many who access care through Montana Medicaid work multiple, low-paying jobs to make ends meet, making new time-consuming paperwork requirements even more daunting.
The following statement can be attributed in full or part to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Montana Government Relations Director Denver Henderson:
“This is a life-threatening direction for the overall health of the state. Many Montanans who remain eligible for Medicaid coverage will unquestionably lose the care they need. Further, the infrastructure required to process the paperwork filed to meet these requirements will tax the technological and human resources of the state. The state faced similar challenges during the Medicaid unwinding period after COVID-19 and thousands were disenrolled from coverage not because they were ineligible, but because they were unable to complete the paperwork required.
“Montana Medicaid has served the state well for years and our friends, family and neighbors have experienced improved health outcomes over those in states that have failed to adopt expansion, such as Wyoming. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services made the decision to move forward with work requirements six months before they were required to do so. This is a bad decision and one that will mean more suffering and death from cancer in our state. We ask that they closely monitor the process they’re putting into place prematurely and take responsibility for ensuring that eligible people maintain their health coverage. We ask that MDPHHS adjust the process should it be determined that enrollees are locked out of receiving the benefits for which they are eligible.”