Adam Weiland

Sep 25, 20202 min

MEDICAID EXPANSION: MONTANA CASE STUDY

Updated: Dec 5, 2020

Author: Adam Weiland

Date: Friday, September 25, 2020

Email: Info@Dakotans4Health.Com

Medicaid expansion in Montana has bee resoundingly successful

Medicaid Expansion in Montana: Jobs, Wages, Employment

Background:

Dakotans for Health, an emerging group of public officials, caregivers, health care advocates, and concerned citizens supporting the expansion of Medicaid released today an FAQ/Overview of Montana's Medicaid expansion efforts citing sources from Montana's Departments of Revenue, Labor, and Health as well as a 2018 study conducted by the University of Montana School of Business.

Overview:

Following the bipartisan example of Republican North Dakota Governor Jack Dalyrmple, Montana Governor Steve Bullock expanded Medicaid in 2015. To date, the program has provided health insurance to +90,000 Montana residents. I thought it might be helpful to do a little write up on the success of Montana. Including a question and answer section below.

FYI- you can read Dakotan's for Health's general Medicaid Expansion FAQ HERE.

Question: How many Medicaid expansion enrollees work?

Answer: According to the Montana Department of Labor, over 72% of Medicaid expansion enrollees are currently employed with 23% of additional enrollees listed as either being disabled, primary caretakers, or in school.
The vast majority (72%) of Montana's Medicaid expansion enrollees work

Question: what impact does Medicaid expansion have on Montana's economy?

Answer: Medicaid expansion has a significant effect on Montana's economy. Each year, it brings a Federal investment of +$600 million that otherwise wouldn't be there. These funds percolate through Montana's economy generating thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in wages for Montana households on an annual basis.

In Montana, Medicaid expansion averages $320 million in new wages and 6,300 new jobs every year.

Question: how much money has South Dakota lost compared to Montana?

Answer: According to Governor Daugaard's 2016 report on the impact of Medicaid expansion, South Dakota lost at least -$1.83 billion since deciding against moving forward with Medicaid expansion in 2017.

South Dakota lost -$1.83 billion. Montana got +$2.1 billion (2017-2020)

Question: does Medicaid expansion have a positive impact on state budgets?

Answer: Yes. Montana, Louisiana, Colorado, Virginia, and Michigan are several such examples.👇
Medicaid expansion has a positive impact on state budgets.

For more information visit:

www.dakotans4health.com

For press inquiries text "Press"

to (772) 577-2337

Additional Background:

South Dakota is one of twelve states who has yet to expand Medicaid under the ACA
North Dakota expanded Medicaid in 2015. The program has brought hundreds of millions of additional dollars into the state:
Montana expanded Medicaid in 2015 as well. The program brings an additional $600 Million a year to the state:

Visual Learner Summary: South Dakota gets $15 back for every $1 it puts in. A 15:1 Return On Investment.

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