Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] establishes new requirements for the expansion of Medicaid eligibility by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), specifically targeting able-bodied adults who must comply with community engagement requirements. The bill mandates that DPHHS submit a federal waiver application by December 1, 2025, to facilitate this expansion. In the event of a waiver rejection, the department is required to report to the legislature with details on the rejection and any amendments made to the application. Additionally, the bill introduces measures to enhance program integrity, including biannual eligibility redeterminations and a lifetime benefit limit for able-bodied adults.

The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) regarding Medicaid eligibility, specifying that eligible individuals must have an income between 0% and 100% of the federal poverty level, be under 65 years of age, and be able-bodied. It raises the age limit for community engagement requirements from 55 to 65 years and establishes a standardized process for exemption requests. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that make the continuation of Medicaid coverage contingent upon state funding appropriations and allows for increased premiums or cost-sharing measures. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2029, unless certain legislative conditions are met.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313
SB0334_1(1): 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313
SB0334_1(2): 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313
SB0334_1(3): 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313
SB0334_1(4): 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313
SB0334_1: 39-12-103, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1307, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1313