HELENA, Mont. -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) registered strong objections to Montana’s Medicaid 1115 waiver request today in comments filed with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.
Approval of the waiver would make Montana an early adopter of new federal Medicaid provisions harmful to the health of many residents far before the timeline required by Congress. These changes, including work reporting requirements, would undermine the Medicaid program substantially, actions at odds with the strong bi-partisan legislative and overwhelming public support for Medicaid expansion demonstrated during this past legislative session.
If granted, more than 215,000 residents will face significant burdens to maintaining healthcare coverage, a number which includes many eligible individuals who will lose care due to red tape, including those in treatment for cancer and other chronic conditions despite so-called “exemptions” to work reporting requirements. These coverage losses will also place additional stress on Montana’s healthcare infrastructure and have negative ripple effects on rural medical providers, who serve a high percentage of Medicaid patients at risk of losing coverage. In addition, proposed changes will strain the state’s Medicaid department due to required administrative oversight.
The following quote can be attributed to Denver Henderson, Montana government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:
“Ten years ago Montana legislators made the right decision, put politics aside and reached a conclusion that put Montanans’ health first. Since then Republicans and Democrats have worked together to reauthorize the program multiple times, including during the last legislative session. This waiver request undermines the idea that people should be able to see a doctor when they need to, not just when they can afford it. Medicaid access saves lives and is good for rural hospitals, our economy and our state budget. Placing barriers on that care is damaging. Simply put, the approval of this waiver would be devastating and life-changing for far too many and harm Montana’s economy.”
