House Bill No. introduced by M. Caferro aims to create the Senior and Long-Term Care Home and Community-Based Services Access and Stabilization Act. This legislation requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to pursue the Community First Choice Option program for assisted living services, utilizing the savings generated to assist individuals currently on the Big Sky Waiver program waiting list. The bill establishes new procedures for calculating room and board costs for assisted living facility services, mandates quarterly reporting on the status of both the Big Sky Waiver and Community First Choice Option programs, and includes an appropriation of $56,000 for necessary staffing to implement these changes.

Key provisions include the adjustment of room and board payments for individuals enrolled in the Montana Medicaid program, ensuring that these payments are aligned with their income while allowing for personal needs funds. The bill also directs the department to apply for necessary waivers to facilitate the transition of assisted living services from the Big Sky Waiver program to the Community First Choice Option program by January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill includes a contingent voidness clause, stating that if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deny the state plan amendment for assisted living services, the relevant section of the bill will become void. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.