House Bill No. introduced by E. Stafman and others aims to direct the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for and 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 in health programs. 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 conduct audits to ensure compliance and requires it to submit requests for necessary waivers and amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by July 1, 2025. If approved, the Department must implement the new continuous eligibility policy within 6 months of receiving the approval. The legislation aims to improve health outcomes for children by providing consistent access to preventive care, reducing administrative costs, and ultimately enhancing children's readiness for school.