Last week at noon, Rotarians were treated to a presentation by Nicki Phillips, government relations officer for Benefis Health Systems, on the Medicaid expansion bills currently before the Montana legislature. 

 

The Republican bill is carried by Rep. Ed Buttrey of Great Falls, whose 2015 bill called "the HELP Act" first expanded Medicaid in Montana. Since its enactment, the HELP Act has brought affordable healthcare coverage to over 90,000 Montanans, but it was written to sunset on June 30 of this year. Buttrey's current bill is nine pages and length and provides 19 amendments to the HELP Act, largely exempting certain categories of Montanans from its coverage and requiring individuals to attest to their assets before receiving coverage.

 

The Democrats' bill is carried by Rep. Mary Caferro. It expands coverage in modest changes to the existing HELP Act and adds a tax to support the expansion.

 

At the time of Nicki's presentation, both bills had been heard in an all-day session, but no action had been taken. Tuesday evening, Caferro's bill had been tabled, and Buttrey's bill, heavily amended to include more Montanans in its coverage, passed out of committee, 11-8. Yesterday morning the House passed it, 61-39, and sent it to the Appropriations Committee, where it passed, 26-6. It's off to the Senate now for yet another hearing, committee vote and floor vote.

 

Because Great Falls Development Authority and Embark Credit Union were hosting their annual salute to business women, "The Fire Within" ceremony on the same evening as evening Rotary, at the last minute evening Rotarians were encouraged to attend the salute instead. Event hostess Jolene Schalper called to thank us for our support. Rotarians attending the event included new Rotarians Heather Palermo, Barb Mullens, and Leon Green III, as well as Brett Doney, GFDA Executive Director, and Keith Duncan, whose wife Katy won the Inspire Award in 2016 for her success with Happy Tails Lodge.