Lawmakers, governor's staff meet on Medicaid

HELENA (AP) — Gov. Steve Bullock's staff has been discussing Medicaid expansion options with some legislators and health-care and business representatives.

The Democratic governor said Friday the discussions aren't driven by him but by lawmakers who heard from their community about the importance of the expansion.

Lee Newspapers of Montana reports Republican Sen. Ed Buttrey of Great Falls is part of the group. He says the goal is to find a way to provide cheaper costs, better medical service and a healthier population.

Buttrey and others in the coalition say they want to come up with a plan to be enacted by the 2015 Legislature or earlier if lawmakers meet in special session.