Eliminate termination date of community health aide program
Summary
SB 170 removes the sunset date from Montana’s community health aide program, making the program permanent rather than temporary. The bill amends a 2019 law that directed the Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek federal approval so Medicaid can cover services provided by certified community health aides. It also repeals later statutory provisions tied to the program’s termination date and related implementation language from 2023.
In practical terms, the bill preserves the state’s authority to continue operating and supporting the community health aide program without an automatic end date. It maintains the framework for seeking or using federal Medicaid authorization for covered services and requires the secretary of state to distribute the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.
Impact
SB 170 permanently extends the community health aide program by eliminating its scheduled termination and repealing provisions that would have ended or limited the program. It affects the statutes enacted in 2019 and 2023, keeping in place the state’s direction to pursue Medicaid coverage for services delivered by certified community health aides. The bill primarily impacts the Department of Public Health and Human Services, tribal governments, and communities served by the program, especially in rural and tribal health settings.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable support, passing the Senate and House with clear majorities and receiving unanimous support in the House Human Services Committee. The vote margins suggest broad agreement that the program should continue, though the floor votes show some opposition in both chambers. Overall, the legislative record indicates more support than resistance to making the program permanent.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be whether the community health aide program should be made permanent or left with a termination date, with a minority of legislators opposing the bill in both chambers. While committee action was strongly supportive, the narrower floor margins indicate some concern about the program’s scope, long-term commitment, or implementation. No transcript details are available, so the specific objections are not stated in the record provided.