House Bill No. introduced by E. Stafman and others aims to direct the Department of Public Health and Human Services to implement continuous eligibility for children under 6 years of age enrolled in the Healthy Montana Kids Plan. The bill highlights the importance of maintaining health coverage for young children, as fluctuations in family income can lead to frequent disenrollment and reenrollment, which negatively impacts access to necessary health care services. The proposed legislation changes the current eligibility duration from 3 years to 1 year from the date of initial enrollment or subsequent reenrollment, allowing children to remain continuously enrolled until they reach 6 years of age, regardless of changes in family circumstances.

The bill also mandates the Department to apply for necessary waivers and state plan amendments to facilitate this continuous eligibility. It requires the Department to submit these requests by July 1, 2025, and to notify the legislature of any decisions received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If approved, the Department must implement the continuous eligibility provision within six months of receiving approval. The legislation aims to improve health outcomes for children, reduce administrative costs, and ensure that children have consistent access to preventive care during critical early development stages.