MontanaHB 57669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise funding for medicaid and health and support services to children and to adults who are aged, blind, and disabled

Sponsored By: Jane Gillette (Republican)

Became Law

Health Care ServicesCigarettes and Tobacco

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More Medicaid, CHIP, and disability funding

The law sets aside 17% of each year’s tobacco settlement money (received after June 30, 2003) in a special account. The state uses this money to match federal funds for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It also pays for home visiting, services for elderly and physically disabled people, and home- and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities. The account can fund early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities and support the family education program. These funds help children and adults who are elderly, blind, or disabled get needed services.

Children’s health account: growth and limits

The law creates a special account for children’s health insurance and puts certain insurance-tax money into it. Money can cover kids who enroll above the number enrolled on November 4, 2008. It can pay premium assistance, admin costs for expanded eligibility, and keep a reserve. Unspent money stays in the account for these uses, and programs can still use other funding sources. If the department finds the money is not enough, it may tighten CHIP eligibility.

Tobacco prevention programs get steady funding

The law deposits 32% of each year’s tobacco settlement money (received after June 30, 2003) into a special account for prevention. The money funds programs to keep kids from starting tobacco and to help adults quit. The health department runs these programs and sets rules using CDC best-practice guidance.

Rules for spending settlement health funds

The Legislature must appropriate money from the settlement accounts for prevention and the listed children’s and disability services. If money is not appropriated within two years of deposit, it moves to a trust fund. The state may use contracts to fund privately delivered programs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jane Gillette
Republican • House

Cosponsors

John Fuller
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 291 • No: 3

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 1

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

House vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2025