Recently, a group comprising 65 hospitals, health departments, advocacy groups and tribes reached out to Governor Greg Gianforte, urging him to invest in services that will aid Montanans in maintaining their Medicaid coverage. In a letter sent to the governor this week, the group made several requests. They called for the reopening of public assistance offices that help individuals apply for Medicaid or recertify their eligibility. Due to budget cuts in 2017, 19 public assistance offices were closed, affecting accessibility to these crucial services.
The group also urged Governor Gianforte to enhance staffing at the public assistance helpline and at state Medicaid offices responsible for processing paperwork. The lack of staff and public assistance resources has made it challenging for Montanans to navigate the Medicaid eligibility evaluation process. Over 93,000 Montanans lost their coverage due to procedural errors such as incorrectly filling out paperwork or failing to update their address, according to state data.
The Montana health department has shared that it is currently working on its budget ahead of the next legislative session and will take the group’s requests into consideration. The group’s plea highlights the importance of investing in and maintaining vital services that support Medicaid coverage for residents of Montana.
In conclusion, Governor Gianforte should take note of the urgent need for funding towards these essential services that assist Montanans in maintaining their Medicaid coverage. By doing so, he will ensure that over 300,000 individuals have uninterrupted access to critical healthcare services they need.
