Bozeman, Mont. – According to two independent analyses released today, Montana’s 2015 bipartisan Medicaid legislation has saved more than $36 million in the state’s budget and helped more than 65,000 adults access preventive health care services. Additionally, the rate of uninsured Montanans remains close to the historic low of 7.4 percent reached in 2016 and represents a stable decrease from 15 percent in 2015 before Montana expanded Medicaid. The reports were commissioned by the Montana Healthcare Foundation (MHCF) and conducted by Manatt Health and Christina Goe.

“Montana’s Medicaid program is not only covering more than 96,000 Montanans and strengthening our health care system, it’s making a critical contribution to Montana’s economy,” said MHCF CEO Dr. Aaron Wernham. “It’s hard to find a downside of this highly successful bipartisan program.”

Originally published in the Montana Healthcare Foundation on June 18, 2018.