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Impacts of Medicaid Expansion Press Release

Impacts of Medicaid Expansion Press Release

New Analyses Find Montana Medicaid Expansion Saving Millions of Dollars, Helping Thousands Access Preventive Care

Number of Uninsured Montanans Halved Since Passing Medicaid Expansion in 2015.

Bozeman, Mont. (Jun 18, 2018) – According to two independent analyses released today, Montana’s 2015 bipartisan Medicaid legislation has saved more than $36 million* in the state’s budget and helped more than 65,000 adults access preventive health care services. Additionally, the rate of uninsured Montanans remains close to the historic low of 7.4% reached in 2016 and represents a stable decrease from 15% in 2015 before Montana expanded Medicaid. The reports were commissioned by the Montana Healthcare Foundation (MHCF) and conducted by Manatt Health and Christina Goe.

Montana’s Medicaid program is not only covering more than 96,000 Montanans and strengthening our health care system, it’s making a critical contribution to Montana’s economy. It’s hard to find a downside of this highly successful bipartisan program.

Dr. Aaron Wernham,
MHCF CEO 

In its first two years, Medicaid expansion has:

  • Generated state budget savings: Montana has saved more than $36 million in state general funds by receiving more federal funding for certain enrollees and replacing state spending for key health care programs with federal dollars.
  • Contributed to Montana’s economy and workforce: Medicaid has helped make health care the leading driver of private income and the second largest source of jobs in Montana, consistent with another MHCF-funded report indicating that the state has gained more than 5,000 new jobs, $280 million in new personal income, and $47 million in new tax revenue through the Medicaid expansion.
  • Helped rural hospitals keep their doors open: Hospitals in Medicaid expansion states are six times less likely to close. Since more Montanans have insurance than ever before, uncompensated care costs for rural hospitals and clinics decreased by $103 million (44.9%) in 2016 alone, and hospitals became more profitable.
  • Increased the use of preventive health care services: More than 65,000 adults have received preventive health care services, as well as 195,000 screenings, vaccinations, wellness visits, and dental exams.
  • Contributed to a stronger prevention and treatment system for mental illness and substance use disorders: More than 90% of Montanans with a substance use disorder (SUD) are not receiving treatment. For the first time, Medicaid provides a payment source for care for SUDs and mental illness that were previously covered only by the state general fund and federal block grants. Medicaid spending on SUDs has increased from $2.6 million in 2015 to $14 million in 2017 as more people are able to get the care they need.
  • Supported a healthy workforce: Through the voluntary HELP-Link jobs services program, more than 22,000 Medicaid enrollees received workforce training, employment services, and job openings. 78% of those who received one-on-one employment services found jobs, with health care as a top industry for job seekers.
  • Kept Montana’s rate of uninsured people the lowest in state history: Montana’s uninsured rate dropped from 15% in 2015 to 7.4% when Montana expanded Medicaid in 2016 – the lowest rate in state history. The report released today finds that Montana’s uninsured rate is relatively stable, at 7.8% in 2017.
  • Covered thousands of working Montanans: Of the 96,000 Montanans covered by Medicaid expansion, 7 in 10 are working (ranking Montana in the top 10 of all states), and another 12% are ill or disabled.

Read the full reports:

Medicaid Expansion: How it Affects Montana’s State Budget, Economy, and Residents
2018 Report on Health Coverage and Montana’s Uninsured (Brief)

*NOTE: As of September 2018, the state budget savings have increased to more than $58 million. The infographic below reflects this update.