Bill
LC 1766
Overview: Bill Number: LC 1766, Title: Generally revise Healthy Montana Kids, Status: (LC) Draft Died in Process, Introduced: November 20, 2024Purpose and Intent: The main goal of
Overview: Bill Number: LC 1766, Title: Generally revise Healthy Montana Kids, Status: (LC) Draft Died in Process, Introduced: November 20, 2024
Purpose and Intent: The main goal of this bill is to make revisions to the Healthy Montana Kids program, which provides health insurance coverage for children in low-income families. The intent is to expand eligibility, enhance benefits, and improve overall access to healthcare services for Montana's children.
Key Provisions:
- Increase the income eligibility threshold for the Healthy Montana Kids program from 250% to 300% of the federal poverty level
- Add dental, vision, and behavioral health services as mandatory benefits under the program
- Streamline the enrollment and renewal process to reduce administrative barriers
- Require the state to conduct outreach and education to raise awareness of the program
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Families with children in low-to-moderate income households would have greater access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Healthcare providers, including dentists, optometrists, and mental health professionals, would see increased demand for their services
- The state's Medicaid and CHIP programs would experience higher enrollment and utilization, requiring adjustments to budgets and administrative processes
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
This bill was introduced as a draft legislative concept (LC) but did not progress further in the legislative process. It died without being formally introduced as a bill. Any future revisions to the Healthy Montana Kids program would need to be taken up in a subsequent legislative session.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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