Montana

Montana House advances Healthy Montana Kids program bill

Published

12 months ago

April 8, 2025

Montana House advances Healthy Montana Kids program bill

HELENA – The House of Representatives advanced a bill Monday that would provide continuous eligibility for two years for kids younger than six enrolled in the Healthy Montana Kids program. The sponsor says it will address gaps in health insurance coverage for children.

The current system for the free or low-cost health insurance program for low-income families requires families to reapply for eligibility every year. Rep. Ed Stafman, D-Bozeman, said this can be difficult for busy families, leaving children in a back-and-forth of losing and regaining coverage. Stafman said continuous enrollment is crucial, particularly after 15% of Montana children covered under Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids lost their coverage in the redetermination process after COVID.

Stafman said House Bill 185 focuses on younger kids because that is when their development is most critical.

“We know that 90% of brain cells are grown in those years,” Stafman said. “Missed well-baby visits and regular medical care often result in more ER visits, problems that could have been prevented with well-childcare – less school readiness, and a host of other problems.”

But Rep. Jane Gillette, R-Three Forks, said in a previous debate on the bill that the process of redetermination is important to make sure that when a family’s income or insurance situation changes, the state can be relieved of their insurance costs.

“It probably wouldn’t surprise you that a lot of people don’t report changes in their incomes,” Gillete said. “You know, things just, life gets busy. They just don’t get around to reporting changes in their income. So that’s why the redetermination process is important.”

The bill passed the preliminary House vote 57-43, and awaits the final vote before moving to the Senate.

Emma White is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation. White can be reached at emma.white@umconnect.umt.edu

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Montana

Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 22

Published

5 hours ago

March 22, 2026

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Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 22

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Montana

Cheerleaders showcase talent at Cheerfest

Published

17 hours ago

March 21, 2026

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Cheerleaders showcase talent at Cheerfest

LEWISTOWN — 27 teams of cheerleaders from across Montana gathered at Fergus High School for Cheerfest.

Justin Robicheau reports – watch the video here:

Cheerleaders showcase talent at Cheerfest

“It’s the largest interscholastic cheerleading competition for Montana. We’re very excited that schools can come and show what they’ve been working all season for. This is our state, this is our divisional. So we’re very excited and can’t wait to see what Montana brings to the mat,” Cheerfest Director Rayna Phelps said.

Phelps said this year’s event is different from last year.

“We were really focusing on ways that we can really up this experience for cheerleaders and dancers across the state of Montana. This year, we included a backdrop, and lots of beautiful accents all throughout. We have a judging table, so it looks really nice,” Phelps said.

“There’s a high school mascot competition. Junior high team competition. There’s all classes of high schools. Class B, class A, double A, small group and large group. There’s dance solos, dance teams from across the state. And we have a college showcase,” Phelps said.

Glasgow High School senior Annika Smith said her school finished third in last year’s Cheerfest.

“I’m so excited. This last year we got third. So I’m really excited to come back and really go and try and get first. And it’s a little sad because it’ll be my last year, but I’m really excited to go out and give it my all,” Smith said.

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For Fergus High School senior Miriam Pavlovick, being surrounded by other cheerleaders from across the state is uplifting.

“It’s nice to see, like, a lot so many cheerleaders who enjoy the same thing. So much. And we just all come together and support one another,” Pavlovick said.

“Obviously when we go travel for basketball and state, like that, we’re cheering on our team. And this is a cool opportunity to show what cheerleaders can do and our stunting on all of our dancing and really get to show off a different side of cheerleading,” Smith said.

Registration for next year’s competition will open after Christmas.