Sweeping healthcare reform to become law in special signing ceremony
Heidi Meili, NBC Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — Governor Steve Bullock will sign a sweeping package of health care reforms into law Thursday.
They are aimed at advancing access, reducing costs and protecting consumers.
At a ceremony with bill sponsors, Governor Bullock will sign the reauthorization of Medicaid expansion, the public reinsurance program to lower premiums, and other legislation aimed at lowering prescription drug prices and increasing access to medical, mental health and substance use treatment in rural and American Indian communities.
The ceremony gets underway at 10:00 a.m. at the Governor’s Reception Room at the Montana State Capitol in Helena.
The bills include the following:
HB 658, the reauthorization of Medicaid expansion, joined by Rep. Buttrey and Rep. Caferro;
SB 125, establish the Montana reinsurance association and program, joined by Sen. Fitzpatrick;
SB 335, revise insurance laws related to pharmacies & certain health entities, joined by Sen. Fitzpatrick;
SB 83, establishing allowable and prohibited practices for pharmacy benefit managers, joined by Sen. Fitzpatrick;
SB 270, the Prescription Price Protection Act;
HB 660, create the Mobile Crisis Unit Grant Program, joined by Rep. Krautter;
SB 30, allowing peer support services to be reimbursed under Medicaid, joined by Sen. Gross;
HB 599, allowing for the Community Health Aide Program for tribal facilities, joined by Rep. Windy Boy; and
HB 696, appropriate funds for suicide prevention, joined by Rep. Karjala.