MPCA News

Legislative Summary
By Chuck Hunter

The 2007 legislative sessions are finally over.  While the sessions were contentious and seemed to feature more partisan bickering than concrete achievement, some good things were accomplished.  Funding for health care was increased in many areas.  Community Health Centers were a real topic of discussion in the legislature for the first time, and are now firmly on the “radar screen” in heath policy discussions.  The critical need for increased dental services was identified, repeatedly discussed, and received some new funding.  As in all sessions, some good ideas were tossed aside, and some questionable concepts were passed into law.  Below is a short synopsis of bills related to healthcare and strengthening of the safety net.

HB 406  Community Health Center Support Act:

This bill, developed and promoted by the Montana Primary Care Association, was written to provide state funding for the first time to Community Health Centers.  Sponsored by Representative Edith Clark of Sweetgrass, the bill called for a $2 million annual state appropriation to fund new Health Centers, expand services at existing Centers, and provide funds for capital improvement projects at Health Centers.  The bill was originally heard by the House Appropriations Committee in early February, but was held by the Committee and not voted on until the next to last day before appropriations bills were required to be transmitted from the House to the Senate.  The Appropriations Committee tabled the bill.  After intense discussion with key legislators, the bill was amended to reduce the funds to $650,000 per year, and the appropriation was changed to “one time only,” meaning that the funds are not guaranteed in future bienniums.  With these changes, the bill passed out of the Appropriations Committee and was approved by the full House with an 87-13 vote.

Once in the Senate, the bill was routed to the Finance and Claims Committee.  The bill had an outstanding hearing in the Committee, but once again no action was forthcoming until the deadline for getting appropriations bills out of committee was at hand.  The Finance and Claims Committee tabled the bill.  Once again, discussion with key legislators produced some action – this time, in the form of a motion by Senator Roy Brown of Billings to take the bill “off the table” in Committee, and bring it straight to the Senate floor.  The motion was successful, and once the bill made it to the full Senate, the bill was approved in the same form as passed by the House by a 40-10 vote.

HB 406 was signed by the Governor on May 8.  It was one of the few “stand-alone” appropriations bills he signed, and his approval was no doubt due to support for the bill that came from communities around the state.

Many legislators need special thanks for helping pass HB 406, including Representative Edith Clark, Senator Greg Lind, Senator Carol Williams, Senator Roy Brown, Representative Diane Sands, Representative Penny Morgan, and Representative John Musgrove.

HB 2:

This special session bill was introduced by Representative Edith Clark.  It contains funding for all state agencies, including the Department of Public Health and Human Services.  DPHHS funding was raised for the biennium, but many of the increases were for pure inflationary reasons, rather than for program expansions.  Disability services, mental health and CHIP did see some significant increases.  T he DPHHS budget includes a new annual appropriation of $400,000 to increase access to dental services for low income individuals, and CHCs are expected to be a major part of that effort.

HB 92:

This bill was introduced by Representative Eve Franklin at the request of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.  It updated the underlying statute for Montana’s public health system, which had not seen major revision in 40 years.  While no sweeping changes were made, the new law more accurately describes the current role of the public health system, and describes the collaborative relationships needed between the players involved in public health work.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

HB 117:

This bill was introduced by Representative Teresa Henry.  It mandates hearing screening for newborns within one month of birth, and requires the results of the screening to be shared with the primary care physician.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

HB 198:

This bill by Representative Bill Jones provides an increased dental benefit for CHIP children.  It allows for an additional $100,000 in state funds to be spent on dental care that is outside of the normal CHIP dental coverage.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

SB22:

Introduced by Senator Dan Weinberg.  It allows the increase of CHIP eligibility standards from the current 150% to up to 175% of the federal poverty level.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

SB162: 

SB 354: 

This bill by Senator Greg Lind revised the method that DPHHS uses to reimburse physicians under Medicaid.  The effect of the bill will be to raise physician rates in a manner that is indexed to other major health insurers in Montana.  This bill has been signed by the Governor.

SB 387:

This bill from Senator Carolyn Squires mandates that insurance companies provide information to prospective policy holders that describes what coverage the policy provides for cancer screening services.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

SB 553:

This bill by Senator Jerry Black revised the incentive program for physicians working in rural and underserved areas.  Under the bill, the old tax credit program for physicians will be phased out, and the educational debt repayment for physicians who practice in rural or underserved areas will be expanded.  The bill was amended at the request of the Montana Primary Care Association to provide incentives for physicians who provide services to underserved populations.  This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

Kate McIvor, MPCA Board Chair; Chuck Hunter, Lobbyist; Alan Strange, CEO; and Mary Beth Frideres, Assoc. Director meet on implementation of HB 406

LEGISLATIVE BILLS NOT PASSED

HB 394:  This bill, also by Representative Bill Jones, would have provided a new dental benefit for underinsured children.  The bill died in committee.

HB 395:  This bill from Representative Bill Jones would have established a regional dental education program.  Known as the “RIDE” bill, HB 395 would have set up a program similar to the WWAMI program that allows Montana medical students to receive education at the University of Washington under special rates and conditions.  Ride would have established slots for Montana dental students at the University of Washington.  This bill passed the House, but died in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.

HB 577:  This bill was introduced by Representative Mary Caferro, and sought to change the eligibility standards for children covered under Medicaid.  The bill would have raised the poverty standard from 100% of federal poverty level to 133% for all children, allowing more children to be covered under Medicaid.  The net cost to the state would have been approximately $1 million in general fund per year.  While this bill passed both houses, it was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 236:  Introduced by Senator Steve Gallus, this bill would have required the use of mercury-free vaccine for children.  The bill died in committee.

SB 397:  This bill by Senator Kim Gillan would have allowed for the dispensation of prescription drugs by a physician at employer-based clinics.  This bill died in committee.

SB 428:  This bill by Senator Christine Kaufmann was written to ensure that the costs of clinical trials would be included in insurance policy coverage.  The bill died in committee.

Montana Primary Care Association 1805 Euclid Avenue Helena, MT 59601 Phone: (406) 442-2750 Fax: (406) 449-2460