Gov. introduces proposal for Medicaid expansion 


HELENA — Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock's latest plan to accept federal money to expand Medicaid coverage has been formally introduced.

Bullock announced the measure called the Healthy Montana Plan with sponsor Rep. Pat Noonan at the Capitol on Monday.

Under House Bill 249, people earning 138 percent or less of the federal poverty level would qualify to receive Medicaid. Adults making up to $16,105 per year and a family of four earning up to $32,913 would qualify under the bill.

Republicans rejected the expansion in the 2013 saying they feared the state eventually would have to pony up the costs. They have unveiled their own plan called the Montana Healthy Family Plan, which would expand Medicaid to some but not all 70,000 who would qualify under Bullock's measure.