NEWS HEADLINES:
Montana health insurance

Insurers opting in to Montana health insurance exchange

March 3, 2013

Billings Gazette — Two of the most popular health insurers in Montana as well as the new nonprofit Montana Health Cooperative plan to participate in the health insurance exchange. However, health care advocacy groups say consumers are so far showing little interest in the exchange.

Montana okays health co-op

December 23, 2012

MedCity News — The Montana state insurance commissioner approved a new, nonprofit health cooperative. The co-op was started with the help of federal funds, and it will sell policies on the state’s health insurance exchange beginning in October 2013.

Opinion: Montana must expand Medicaid

July 17, 2012

Bozeman Daily Chronicle – The Supreme Court ruling also left one critical decision up to the states … our elected officials must decide whether or not to expand our Medicaid programs to cover low-income adults. As it stands, Montana offers coverage to working parents making less than 55 percent of the poverty line. In real terms, this amounts to $10,500 a year for a family of three. The Medicaid expansion provision in the Affordable Care Act would extend coverage to adults making up to 133 percent of the poverty line ($25,390 for a family of three), covering over 57,000 currently uninsured Montanans.

Health care law helps 12,000 young Montanans get, keep health coverage

June 28, 2012

Billings Gazette – The Montanans, ages 19 through 25, are among more than 3.1 million young adults who would likely not have health insurance if it weren’t for the Affordable Care Act. That’s up from 2.5 million young adults in December. About 75 percent of people in that age group now have insurance, up from 64 percent in 2010.

Politics making the difference in states’ risk pool enrollment

April 25, 2011

BYKERK: If your governor is making claims that this law is unconstitutional and it's gonna go away, you might be leery of buying.

Two Republicans expected to take shot at defunding health reform law today

February 17, 2011

The Washington Post – Two Republican members of the House are expected to introduce amendments today that would prohibit federal funds from being spent on the Affordable Care Act.

States begin taking applications for federal risk pool Thursday

June 30, 2010

North Carolina, Montana and Pennsylvania are among the states that could begin accepting applications for a new federal high-risk insurance pool that will offer coverage to uninsured patients with pre-existing conditions. Some states like Vermont are scrambling to meet the July 1 federal mandate. Read more news about high-risk insurance pools.

Auditor: Montana Ready for US Health Care Overhaul

April 26, 2010

Flathead Beacon – Montana’s insurance regulator told lawmakers Monday that the state’s first role in implementing federal health care overhaul will go into place shortly.

Focus of health care bill may be changing, officials signal

January 31, 2010

CNN – Democratic efforts to pass a health care bill have stalled a bit, and the immediate focus may be shifting toward health insurance reform instead of quickly trying to pass a comprehensive bill, White House officials signaled Sunday.

People around the state struggle with health care coverage

November 15, 2009

Missoulian – HELENA – Thirty-year-old Melissa Armington of Billings has shopped around for health insurance, but no one wants to cover her: She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.

Overhaul Divides Business and Its Traditional GOP Allies

September 25, 2009

Wall Street Journal – WASHINGTON – Business is parting from its traditional allies in the Republican Party on health care as companies and big corporate lobbyists lend tentative support to a congressional overhaul that conservative lawmakers staunchly oppose.

Baucus Offers Health Plan With No Republican Backing

September 16, 2009

Bloomberg.com – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unveiled legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system after trying for months to reach a bipartisan agreement on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Baucus Introduces $856 Billion Health Care Bill

September 16, 2009

Washington Post – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unveiled an $856 billion health-care reform plan Wednesday that would require nearly all Americans to carry health insurance while barring insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their health status or denying coverage because of preexisting conditions.

Baucus out in front on health care overhaul

March 15, 2009

Washington Times – Max Baucus just might be Washington’s most in-demand person in 2009 not named Obama. Requests for speaking engagements have poured into his office in recent months. He is a sought-after guest on television news shows. And he is a no stranger at the White House.

Click here to see Montana’s State Health Guide.