LTE: Keep Montana’s Medicaid expansion
Legislator, please continue the funding for Montana Medicaid expansion due to expire soon. There are deficiencies that have solutions if legislators will consider all sides involved.
The health fate of over 96,000 Montanans is in the balance. The Bureau of Business and Economic Research in Missoula states Medicaid expansion improves Montana’s economy. It is estimated it will generate approximately 5,000 jobs and $270 million in personal income annually. Labor market outcomes improve for lower-income earners.
Patients in rural places and rural hospitals have benefited. Without continued funding, these people and the hospitals will be big losers. The Legislature needs to find ways to fund the state’s 10 percent portion. Montana’s most vulnerable get the health care they need from Medicaid expansion in Montana.
Take immediate action to fund this seriously needed program.
Katherine Field, Billings