Contacts: Heather O’Loughlin, 406-868-3438 (cell), holoughlin@montanabudget.org
This morning, the federal Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the State of Montana’s waiver to expand health care coverage to individuals in Montana with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty line through the bipartisan Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Act. The State of Montana will begin enrollment this month, with coverage beginning on January 1.
“Today’s news is a huge and final step for the 70,000 Montanans who have been waiting for access to affordable health care,” said Heather O’Loughlin, co-director of the Montana Budget and Policy Center and ex-officio member of the HELP Act Oversight Committee. "The final waiver allows Montana to implement the HELP Act consistent with federal law and represents a victory for Montana and the health of people across our state. ”
The Montana Budget and Policy Center (MBPC) is a nonprofit organization providing in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues. Our core focus is publishing credible, timely, and easy-to-understand reports on the fiscal policies that most impact low and moderate income Montanans. Our research and analysis then informs public policy, the media and the broader public. To learn more about MBPC, visit our website www.mbadmin.jaunt.cloud.
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MBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.