Montana

Medicaid expansion bills spur hours of testimony in first hearings

Published

1 year ago

January 23, 2025

Medicaid expansion bills spur hours of testimony in first hearings

Two Montana lawmakers, one Republican and one Democratic, advocated Wednesday for their strategies to continue Medicaid expansion, while another Republican pitched his plan to end the state’s program. The bill hearings triggered hours of testimony from supporters of the low-income health coverage plan, scheduled to sunset this year unless extended by legislators.

People who wanted to speak before lawmakers about the three bills packed committee rooms, spurring nearly five hours of hearings that stretched until 7:30 p.m. The fate of Medicaid expansion is anticipated to be one of the most hotly debated policies in the 90-day legislative session.

“Medicaid expansion has been transformative,” said Gene Small, president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, one of dozens of proponents who appealed to lawmakers to continue the program. “Moving forward with this legislation is the moral choice for the most vulnerable among us.”

Medicaid, a decades-old public health program created by Congress, was expanded to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level under the Affordable Care Act, an option that 41 states decided to adopt. A bipartisan group of Montana lawmakers voted to extend coverage to that population in 2015 under the Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Act. State legislators agreed to renew the law in 2019.

The cost of the expanded program, used by more than 76,000 Montana adults as of October, is almost entirely covered by the federal government. The upfront cost to the state’s coffers was roughly $100 million in the last fiscal year.

As the program has grown in size and expense, so too has opposition among a coalition of Republican lawmakers, driving a wedge in the GOP caucus. Original estimates forecasted that roughly 45,000 people would be enrolled by 2019.

Two Republican-sponsored bills heard Wednesday would create dramatically different paths for the future of the program. The GOP holds wide majorities in both the House and Senate, but it’s unclear how party members will respond to Medicaid expansion proposals that reach the floor. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has indicated support for the program continuing in some form.

House Bill 245, sponsored by Rep. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, would strike the termination date from the HELP Act and adjust the work requirements that lawmakers passed in 2019. Those requirements were later blocked by the Biden administration and never took effect.

Buttrey, who successfully sponsored Medicaid expansion in prior sessions by building a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans, told lawmakers on the House Human Services Committee Wednesday that continuing the program was essential for uplifting people struggling to make ends meet and for Montana’s broader business landscape.

“If as legislators we choose to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the physical and mental needs of our low-income population in Montana, to ignore the addiction issues that we have and ignore the value of a healthy and unaddicted workforce, we will pay for it down the road,” Buttrey said. “And we’ll pay a heck of a lot more than we’re paying now.”

Buttrey, who appeared on the verge of tears while reflecting on the policy’s history, also stressed the overall impact Medicaid expansion has had on Montana’s economic landscape and state budget.

“We’ve created a system that, unlike in other states, actually moves people out of poverty and onto their own success. Our system puts health care back in the doctor’s offices and out of the emergency rooms. Our system has enhanced the pool of workers available to our businesses,” Buttrey said. “All of this while providing positive savings to our General Fund and to the taxpayers of Montana.”

Buttrey’s bill received support from more than 60 people, testifying in person and online. Many drove across the state to speak in favor of Buttrey’s proposal, stressing its importance to rural and tribal communities. None spoke in opposition.

A very different Republican proposal, introduced by Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, was heard at the same time in a committee room down the hallway of the state Capitol.

Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, speaks to lawmakers on the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee at the Capitol in Helena on Jan. 22, 2025. Glimm’s bill, Senate Bill 62, would phase out enrollment in the Medicaid expansion program beginning later this year. Credit: Zeke Lloyd / MTFP

Glimm’s bill, Senate Bill 62, would phase out the Medicaid expansion program beginning later this year. The measure directs the state health department to stop accepting new enrollees beginning Sept. 1.

“People that don’t qualify anymore will start to work themselves off and eventually we would not have anybody on Medicaid expansion,” Glimm told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee.

Glimm, in arguing to end expansion, cited concerns that the federal government could change its contributions to Medicaid, leaving Montana on the hook for more than the 10% of the program it currently pays for. Glimm also argued that Medicaid expansion unjustly subsidizes health coverage for unemployed people who don’t have disabilities.

“This is a financial choice that the state of Montana needs to make,” Glimm said in his prepared remarks. “We need to look at the risks and the benefits and we need to say that able-bodied working adults should be working.”

No proponents spoke in favor of the legislation. Fourteen opponents spoke against the bill, most of whom were representatives of health care coalitions, nonprofit organizations and tribal health groups.

“Medicaid expansion has strengthened the foundation of our health care system, invested in a healthier and more productive workforce and created stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Tylyn Newcomb, community engagement director at the Montana Nonprofit Association.

The governor’s budget office issued a fiscal note for Glimm’s proposal projecting a loss of more than $1.5 billion in federal funds and a cost of more than $800 million to the state General Fund over the next two years if officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services declined to continue the current match rate. Glimm told lawmakers he was contesting that calculation, arguing the federal government would continue shouldering 90% of coverage costs for the remaining beneficiaries until the program ends.

The third bill heard Wednesday, House Bill 230, sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, would also strike the HELP Act’s termination date and aim to eliminate access hurdles for enrollees. The bill would provide 12 months of continuous eligibility for beneficiaries. It would also strike the HELP Act’s work requirement provision, which Caferro argued are unnecessary.

Caferro’s legislation also proposes reopening 10 Offices of Public Assistance in rural parts of the state, many of which closed after state budget cuts in 2017. Her bill would also seek to improve communication between enrollees and the state health department by allowing text messages and email communication and creating an advisory board for beneficiaries.

Caferro described the bill to members of the House Human Services Committee as a measure to make the existing program more efficient, particularly after tens of thousands of people lost Medicaid coverage during the state’s mass eligibility review in 2023 and 2024.

“It takes opportunities to solve problems, creates efficiencies in government … creates accountability in government through public reporting requirements, and transparency in government through a public advisory committee,” Caferro said. “It makes government work for the people.”

About 30 proponents of the bill, many of whom also spoke in favor of Buttrey’s legislation, said it would shore up services for rural residents struggling to navigate a dense web of state bureaucracy, sometimes facing paperwork delays that push back health care services for months.

All three bills must be supported by a majority of lawmakers on each committee in order to advance to the House and Senate floors. Lawmakers did not vote on the legislation Wednesday night.

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Related Topics:2025 legislature Carl Glimm ed buttrey Featured House Bill 230 House Bill 245 Mary Caferro Medicaid expansion Senate Bill 62

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for March 27, 2026

Published

27 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 27 drawing

13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 27 drawing

04-05-15-16, Bonus: 14

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 27 drawing

06-09-28-33-46, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

REAL Montana participants gain global perspective on agriculture during Morocco trip

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

REAL Montana participants gain global perspective on agriculture during Morocco trip

GREAT FALLS — REAL Montana, short for Resource Education & Agriculture Leadership, is a two-year leadership development program through Montana State University Extension designed to strengthen the future of the state’s natural resource industries. The program combines in-state seminars, national travel, and an international study tour to expose participants to a wide range of perspectives.

Madison Collier reports – watch the video here:

Montana Ag Network: REAL group highlights international industry

The mission is simple: build a network of informed leaders who can help advance Montana agriculture and natural resource industries in a rapidly changing world.

A global classroom

This year, participants traveled across Morocco, visiting farms, research centers, and food production facilities to better understand how agriculture operates on a global scale.

According to REAL Montana Co-Director Tara Becken, the trip is about more than just travel, it’s about perspective.

“We were able to see how Montana commodities fit into the global picture,” said Becken, who also attended the trip. “Wheat from Montana’s Golden Triangle ends up on a plate on the other side of the world.”

Participants explored everything from citrus production to international trade, gaining firsthand insight into how food systems connect across continents.

Similar challenges, different landscapes

While Morocco’s environment and crops differ from those in Montana, participants said the challenges facing producers still felt familiar.

“Even though we’re worlds away, our challenges are very, very similar,” Becken said, pointing to issues like drought, labor shortages, and market pressures.

For Alice Miller, a participant in the program, those similarities stood out immediately.

“They’ve been dealing with drought. They’re working through input costs and labor… those are the same conversations we’re having here,” Miller said.

From farm to global table

One of the most impactful moments for participants came from seeing food production up close and realizing how connected it is to back home.

“Eating oranges right off the trees and then thinking about how that food ends up on our grocery store shelves… it just hits different when you’re there,” Miller said.

The experience reinforced a broader takeaway: Montana agriculture plays a role far beyond state lines.

“Montana really is feeding the world. That’s not just a phrase, that’s a reality,” Miller said.

Building the next generation of leaders

The international trip is just one part of the REAL Montana program, which includes eight in-state seminars and a national policy-focused trip to Washington, D.C.

Participants are selected from across Montana’s natural resource industries, including agriculture, energy, and forestry, with the goal of building a diverse network of future leaders.

Program leaders say those experiences are critical as the industry faces ongoing challenges, from global trade to shifting consumer demands.

“Unless we can understand the world around us, it’s really hard to tackle our own problems,” Becken said.

As the current class prepares to graduate, the focus now shifts to applying those lessons back home.

“We hope they go out and make a difference for the state of Montana and their communities,” Becken said.

Looking ahead

Applications for the next REAL Montana class are open through March 31. The program targets individuals working in Montana’s natural resource industries who are interested in growing as leaders and making an impact in their communities.

For Miller, the experience is one she encourages others to pursue.

“It’s an investment you won’t regret making, in yourself and in your industry,” she said.

The Montana Farmers Union is now offering a scholarship to help offset the cost of participation for eligible members accepted into the program. The support is designed to make leadership development more accessible to those working in agriculture and natural resource industries.

More information on scholarship opportunities and the application process can be found on the REAL Montana website.

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Montana

Montana’s measures to tackle housing crunch offer hope for Michigan

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Montana’s measures to tackle housing crunch offer hope for Michigan

News Story

State House considers reforms that allowed greater variety of construction in Big Sky State

Michigan could follow Montana’s lead after state House members introduced a bipartisan package of bills aimed at making housing less costly.

“The bipartisan Housing Readiness Package modernizes our development processes to reduce unnecessary costs and delays, making housing more affordable and available across the state,” according to a press release from the House Republican caucus. “This is about ensuring Michigan is prepared for growth and that more residents have access to safe, stable homes.”

The package draws on ideas Montana successfully enacted in 2023 and 2025 to ease the state’s housing shortage. It includes Michigan House bills 5529, 5530, 5531, 5532, 5581, 5582, 5583, 5584 and 5585. The package is intended to restrain cities and counties from restricting accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and other non-single-family units; to limit protests and impact studies on developments; and to reduce local red tape.

Housing costs in Michigan have almost doubled in recent years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Michigan has exceeded the pace of housing inflation found in other states.

The average price of homes in the state was about 75% of the national average in 2012, but it is roughly 82% of the average today, according to Jarrett Skorup, vice president of marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Inflation, interest rates, and rising construction costs have increased housing prices, Skorup told Michigan Capitol Confidential, but local government red tape is still making things worse.

“A lot of this is because of dumb, unnecessary, big-government policies at the local level,” Skorup told CapCon in an email. “This bill package protects the private property rights of citizens in a way similar to what Montana and many other states have done. It is good policy that will help people afford to live where they want.”

Montana made changes to legalize duplexes, allow accessory dwelling units, open commercial zones to housing, and permit taller buildings that can accommodate more housing units.

The laws faced a legal challenge, but the Montana Supreme Court unanimously upheld the bipartisan legislation.

“There are a lot of similarities between what is being proposed in Michigan and what we accomplished in Montana,” Forrest Mandeville, a Republican state senator from Stillwater County, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email.

Montana enacted laws that call for freedom to build duplexes and accessory dwelling units by right (with no need for extra approvals) in many cities. The Big Sky State also streamlined review processes and simplified public participation.

“These reforms were necessitated by a housing market that was seeing prices skyrocket and existing zoning that created a lot of single-family-only development in large areas,” Mandeville said.

A broad coalition supported the changes: builders, real estate agents, free-market advocates and some local government groups, Mandeville told CapCon. Housing prices and rents have stabilized since the legislation was enacted.

“We tried to get government out of the way to encourage building without red tape,” Sen. Jeremy Trebas, a Cascade County Republican, told CapCon in an email about the housing situation in Bozeman. With a population of 60,000 and slow growth, the city faced a housing crunch, with a large inventory of aging and obsolete buildings. Expensive housing and taxes, Trebas said, were driving people to move to Washington, California and other states.

“If we could change land-use policy, encourage development of higher density like duplexes as infill, allow for housing in commercial zones (as it was a 100 years ago), reduce minimum lot sizes, and allow by-right accessory dwelling units and such, we could let the market work to produce density and supply without spending government dollars to incentivize it,” Trebas said.

Opponents of Montana’s reforms expressed concerns about more people moving in from out-of-state, said Trebas. He countered that Montana natives were hurt by high costs that price upcoming generations out of the housing market.

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