Sidney Health Center officials stress need for Medicaid Expansion in Montana
With Medicaid Expansion anticipated to be one of the hottest topics during this year’s Montana Legislature session, the Sidney Health Center has stressed the importance of the program by submitting a resolution to legislators.
The resolution, signed by Sidney Health Center’s board of trustees, notes that the HELP (Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Parnership) Act has benefitted more than 95,000 Montanans who have received health care coverage as of Oct. 1, 2018. The figure is 9.3 percent of Montana’s population. The information is based on a study by the University of Montana
The resolution also states that Medicaid Expansion has led to 7,026 women receiving breast cancer screenings and providing 28,683 patients with outpatient mental health services.
Montana has seen uninsured rates reduced by 48 percent during this time.
Jen Doty, CEO of Sidney Health Center, said, “Because of the expansion, people have access to health care and are using it. It has improved and enhanced access.”
Doty notes that there are 648 residents enrolled in Richland County. Of that number, 76 have undergone breast cancer screenings, 45 have went througn colon cancer screenings, there were 186 mental health outpatient cases and 660 received preventive services.
She explained that these patients are individiuals who don’t quality for regular Medicaid because their incomes are too high, but they can’t afford to pay for traditional health insurance.
“Expansion makes it more affordable,” Doty said. She feels individuals also remain in the workforce because of expansion rather than be unemployed and receive regular Medicaid. “We don’t want them to quit working. They are now employed in our workforce.”
She explained that Sidney Health Center’s board of trustees created the resolution after the Montana Hospital Association requested all hospitals to urge legislators to repeal the sunset of the HELP Act, which is scheduled to sunset in June.
“This is right for all of us,” Doty said. She added that Sidney Health Center isn’t as impacted as other hospitals that have a higher percentage of Medicaid Expansion patients. “It’s still a big deal for us. We want to improve access to all people.”
While Montana’s Democrats wish to keep the program as is, Republicans are looking at different alternatives. One part of a Republican bill is to have a “community engagement” provision that would require work, volunteer hours or being involved in programs such as a substance use disorder treatment.
“I’m glad to hear what our Sidney Health Center thinks on this important issue as we discuss the various proposals being put forward,” State Rep. Joel Krautter, R-Sidney, said. “I understand having a safety net in our society, but do not want policy that promotes dependency.”
Krautter added, “I will be looking at what reforms can be made during the discussion. Making sure Montana’s budget is protected is critical, so I want to see triggers in place for any unforeseen federal funding changes.”
Doty said she doesn’t see the issue as a Republican or Democrat one but important to everybody.
“Our plea is that they repeal the sunset on it,” Doty said. “We want a healthy community. That’s our mission.”