Federal health officials OK Montana Medicaid waiver

HELENA — Montana will become the 30th state to expand its Medicaid program after federal health officials on Monday approved provisions that include requiring beneficiaries to pay premiums that amount to 2 percent of their income.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' approval of the federal waiver needed for state officials to start enrollment immediately and begin coverage on Jan. 1.

"I am pleased to stand before you today to say that for over 70,000 Montanans, the wait is finally over," Bullock told a large crowd of supporters in the Capitol.

The Democratic governor said gaining federal approval of the Montana plan was difficult after the nearly three-year fight to pass the compromise legislation. "This is a victory that at times seemed uncertain, but never seemed unnecessary," he said.

The governor's office has estimated that 70,000 people or more would be eligible for coverage under the expansion, but legislative fiscal analysts predicted about 45,700 would actually participate over the next four years.