Medicaid provides Montanans with low-income access to physical and behavioral health care services based on their medical needs and life circumstances. Montana expanded Medicaid in 2016, providing coverage for over 90,000 Montanans who make at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Through extensive analysis of Medicaid expansion, we have found that the program pays for itself, supports the economy, and increases access to critically needed health care services for thousands of Montanans.
- Medicaid expansion improved health care access for Montanans, supporting their health, well-being, and productivity. In 2019, over 60,000 expansion enrollees received preventive services, over 30,000 received mental health treatments, and over 5,000 received substance use disorder treatments.
- Medicaid expansion supports workers with low incomes and their employers, with nearly six in ten Montana businesses having at least one employee enrolled in Medicaid during 2018 and 2019.
- Medicaid expansion strengthens the economy by infusing millions into Montana annually, creating jobs, and supporting new economic activity. Medicaid expansion introduces $650 million of new federal health care dollars into the economy each year. The new federal dollars that come into the state support 6,000 new jobs across industries, $400 million in new personal income, and $700 million in new economic activity.
Resources
Economic Impact of Medicaid Expansion in Montana
This report found that Montana’s Medicaid expansion introduces $650 million into the economy each year, supporting 6,000 new jobs and $400 million in personal income.
Medicaid in Montana: How Medicaid Affects Montana’s State Budget, Economy, and Health
This report provides an in-depth analysis of Montana’s Medicaid program, its beneficiaries and costs, and how it affects the health system and health outcomes of Montanans.
This report shows how much progress has been made to improve behavioral health since Montana implemented Medicaid expansion in 2016.
