medicaid

WASHINGTON (AP) — From California to Rhode Island, states are confronting new concerns that their costs will rise as a result of the federal health care law.

Gov. Steve Bullock's staff has been discussing Medicaid expansion options with some legislators and health care and business representatives.

Montana Insurance Commissioner Monica J. Lindeen has formally thrown her support behind an effort to expand the Montana Medicaid program.

After a 25 year career in publishing and running a newspaper, as well as being a successful software developer, Todd Mowbray of Missoula has been selected by the Missoula County Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of Nancy Wilson, in House District 97.

The Medicaid program in Montana has experienced rapid growth over the past 10 years. Senior Fiscal Analyst for Montana Legislative Services Lois Steinbeck has been working to chart the growth in medicaid since 2002 and has found some startling results.

The annual Kids Count survey, conducted by the University of Montana Business and Economic research, shows that Montana ranks number 28 nationally in child and family well-being.

During the 2013 session, the Montana Legislature decided not to expand Medicaid. However, some Montanan's are advocating that Medicaid Expansion be pushed through in the next election through a Citizen's Initiative. State Senator Fred Thomas says that A citizen's initiative would be little more than a beauty pageant.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces that $1,474,935 worth of federal dollars would be pouring into Montana.

Even though medicaid expansion failed in the Montana legislature, some advocacy groups are planning to get the legislation passed by using other means.

Gov. Steve Bullock says he will apply whatever pressure he can to resurrect a plan to use federal money to help the working poor buy insurance.