HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock unveiled a report Tuesday touting the benefits of Medicaid expansion on Montana businesses just minutes before he was to speak at a state Chamber of Commerce event and as legislators swarmed the Capitol to determine the program’s fate.

The report noted Medicaid expansion has added $270 million to the Montana economy annually since it was passed in 2015. It also added 5,000 jobs and 18,000 businesses had a worker enrolled in Medicaid, the report said.

In Cascade County, 61 percent, or 998 businesses, had a worker enrolled in Montana Medicaid expansion.

“I think that it’s time we finally fully recognize the value of Medicaid expansion is as much for Montana businesses as it is for the Montanans receiving health care,” he said in a room filled with Democratic legislators, staff and people from the health care industry.

Bullock said the report underscores that it is important to continue Medicaid expansion for employees or businesses will have to face the reality their employees will lose health care.

He noted Medical expansion has provided coverage to more than 95,000 Montanans. In 2017, 70 percent of people receiving Medicaid expansion in Montana were employed.

“We are helping our rural hospitals and our clinics not only thrive but survive,” he said, noting some states that did not pass Medicaid were not as lucky. “In Montana, not one lost rural hospital.”

When asked if he had been talking to business or civic groups, Bullock answered that it was a topic he discusses frequently.

"I go to Target and talk with people," he said.

The report was produced by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and Montana Department of Revenue and used enrollment, wage and tax liability data from 2016 and 2017.

The Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Act, heralded as a “made in Montana” plan passed in the 2015 Legislature, is set to expire in 2019. HELP is a response to the federal Affordable Care Act, also called “Obamacare,” and 94,594 Montanans are participating in the program as of November.

Enrollment peaked at 96,656 in August, according to a chart posted at the Department of Public Health and Human Services website. The state also says the program has saved more than $58 million in Medicaid benefits.

Lawmakers, now on day 2 of their 90-day legislative session, are considering options for continuing the program.

“We have a lot of heavy lifting to do this legislative session,” Bullock said. And later he said he hoped to reach a deal before day 89 of the 90-day session.

Montana has set up a program to match people on Medicaid with jobs.

“There are those who want to frame the game that it is benefiting the health system, doctors and hospitals,” Bullock said.

He said others portray Medicaid as a giveaway to Montanans. And he reached out as a new plan was being drafted.

“I am working to work with Republicans and legislators to find common ground,” he said.

Rich Rasmussen, chief executive officer of the Montana Hospital Association, released a statement later said Medicaid expansion has become “a major success story in terms of building a healthier workforce for Montana businesses.”

He said the program is helping to improve access to preventive care and life-saving screenings.

Bullock unveiled the report about an hour before he was to speak at the Montana Chamber of Commerce Business Days at the Capitol event.

He was also expected to discuss his proposed $10.3 billion budget.

Shortly after Bullock’s speech, Bridger Mahlum, government relations director with the Montana Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber did support the Medicaid expansion program when it was proposed in 2015.

He said the chamber does acknowledge the report’s findings and is interested in finding ways to make health insurance and health care more affordable for businesses.

Mahlum said the chamber was cognizant of what the program has accomplished and was prepared to be involved in discussions regarding legislative improvements and for it to not become a “safety net” for people who did not need it.

Reach Phil Drake at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com

To know more

Read the report at https://bit.ly/2Ccv6gP