House Bill No. introduced by a group of legislators establishes a Medical Respite Care Program specifically for Medicaid-eligible homeless individuals in Montana. The program aims to provide short-term housing and supportive medical services for those who are too ill or frail to recover from a physical illness or injury but do not require hospitalization. The bill outlines various services that will be included in the medical respite care, such as treatment plan development, medication management, immunizations, and assistance with social services programs. The Department of Public Health and Human Services is granted rulemaking authority to implement the program and is required to report annually to the legislature on the number of individuals served, program costs, and healthcare cost reductions resulting from the program.

Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for a waiver or state plan amendment from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by January 1, 2026, to facilitate the program's implementation. The bill includes provisions for codification within Title 53, chapter 6, part 1 of the Montana Code Annotated and specifies that it will take effect upon passage and approval, with certain sections contingent upon the approval of the waiver or amendment by federal authorities.