Medicaid Expansion is on! Um. Really?

Governor Gianforte signed HB 245 into law last Thursday (March 27, 2025), officially removing the 2025 sunset on Medicaid expansion. This ensures continued healthcare access for over 75,000 Montanans who rely on Montana Medicaid. (http://middleforkmt.org/) (In Lincoln County, 32% of residents are enrolled in Medicaid.)

However, can the state pay for this generous gesture?

Medicaid is a joint federal-state partnership managed locally by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and federally by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). (https://mthf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-Medicaid-in-Montana-Annual-Report_FINAL-2.pdf)

Meanwhile, The recent [federal] House budget resolution aims to cut federal spending by $880 billion over the next decade, which will significantly impact Montana Medicaid recipients. (http://middleforkmt.org/)

ARE YOU READY?