This fall, Montana voters will decide whether or not to expand the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid.
Initiative 155, which is the name of the proposed expansion, will be put on the ballot this fall after state Auditor John Morrison obtained the required amount of petition signatures.
If passed, the income eligibility for Montana’s SCHIP program, Healthy Montana Kids, will be expanded to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. State officials estimate 30,000 uninsured children would get coverage if the expansion is approved.
The initiative will also require a statewide effort to reach out to the new children who will qualify for SCHIP, reported the Missoulian.
Eligibility for Medicaid will also be increased, but the article didn’t provide an exact number.
Governor Brian Schweitzer said they’re ready and expecting the initiative to pass — he’s already told the budget director to be ready for the $20 million annual price tag for next year. The federal government would put up around $75 million a year for the expansion.
“Frankly, [expanding coverage] is something we can’t afford not to do. The Healthy Montana Kids plan is important not only for kids’ health, but for health care financing in Montana, ” said Morrison.