Melinda Buchheit, MS
Primary Care: The Foundation of Montana’s Behavioral Health System Bozeman, Mont. (February 13, 2024) – Today, the Montana Healthcare Foundation released a new issue brief that analyzes the role of primary care providers in addressing Montana’s behavioral health needs. As Montana seeks to build a better behavioral health system, the findings in this report underscore … Continued
A new report on Montana Medicaid finds a decrease in ER visits, hospitalizations, and associated costs with each year of enrollment in Medicaid expansion ER visits decreased by 11% overall and more than 40% for people with preventable dental emergencies. Health care costs also shifted from more expensive ER and inpatient care to outpatient services … Continued
An updated study of Montana’s Medicaid expansion program finds it continues to support economic activity and improve health while imposing no fiscal cost to the state. Bozeman and Missoula, Mont. (February 7, 2023) – Headwaters Foundation and the Montana Healthcare Foundation released a report on Montana’s Medicaid expansion program and its impact on the state’s … Continued
Melinda Buchheit, MS
A new analysis finds that ER use declines for Montana Medicaid expansion enrollees the longer they have access to primary and specialty care, dental, and behavioral health services Emergency department visits decreased by 14% and more than 30% for people with preventable dental emergencies. Bozeman, Mont. (April 12, 2022) – Today, the Montana Healthcare Foundation … Continued
New Report Finds More Montanans Accessing Care for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders Because Of Medicaid Expansion In 2020 alone, 8,600 adults participated in psychotherapy, and 3,300 received treatment for substance use disorders. Bozeman, Mont. (June 30, 2021) – The Montana Healthcare Foundation released a new report that shows that Montana’s Medicaid expansion program has … Continued
Opinion by Montana Healthcare Foundation CEO Dr. Aaron Wernham and Headwaters Foundation CEO Brenda Solorzano.
Annually, the program brings $650 million into the economy and adds 6,000 jobs.
Medicaid helps thousands access preventive care annually and supported a 1,400% increase in mental health treatment during the pandemic.
House Bill 658, introduced March 12, 2019 to reauthorize Montana’s Medicaid expansion, could lead to major coverage losses.
According to new survey results released today, nearly half of the respondents (43 percent) reported an improvement in their general health since enrolling in Montana’s Medicaid expansion.