News
State savings weaken as budget pressures increase, analysis warns
3+ week, 1+ day ago (451+ words) (Stateline) State rainy day funds " money reserved to cover unexpected expenses and patch short-term budget holes " are declining nationally as states face increased costs, lower tax revenue and federal budget cuts, a new analysis found. The decline follows a period…...
Viewpoint: Self-employed, small business owners rely on ACA
4+ mon, 4+ week ago (416+ words) Lynae and Adam Axelson, Donna Ryngala and Jon Wick While our government might be reopening and returning to "business as usual," it is not'business as usual" for small businesses across Montana. We are the ones left holding the bagas healthcare…...
Spiraling health insurance costs stymie US Senate panel
5+ mon, 1+ week ago (1100+ words) WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) " U. S. senators began debating how to reduce health care costs for Americans during a hearing Wednesday, where experts" varied recommendations and comments from lawmakers previewed the rocky and potentially long path ahead. Republicans on the Finance Committee argued…...
5 M could become uninsured if Congress doesn't extend subsidies
7+ mon, 5+ day ago (317+ words) (States Newsroom) Without congressional action, more than 7 million people who buy their health insurance on Affordable Care Act marketplaces would pay much higher premiums next year. Close to 5 million of them wouldn't be able to absorb the price hike " nor…...
Democrats seek extension of expiring health care subsidies
7+ mon, 1+ week ago (702+ words) WASHINGTON (CN) " When Virginia-based small business owner Laura Packard was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she relied on the Affordable Care Act marketplace to pay for her chemotherapy. "The Affordable Care Act saved my life," Packard said during a press conference…...
Native Americans look to avoid Medicaid snafus as new issues loom
8+ mon, 4+ day ago (1512+ words) (KFF) Jonnell Wieder earned too much money at her job to keep her Medicaid coverage when the covid-19 public health emergency ended in 2023 and states resumed checking whether people were eligible for the program. But she was reassured by the…...
New work requirements could cause same problems for state
8+ mon, 2+ week ago (904+ words) (Daily Montanan) As Congress makes sweeping changes to the health insurance system and, in particular, the marketplace exchange, some healthcare leaders are concerned that the state and federal government isn't quite prepared to roll out what Congress approved. One of…...
Montana announces details on proposed Medicaid expansion changes
9+ mon, 1+ week ago (513+ words) HELENA (KPAX) " Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration has released more details on its plans to implement work requirements and charge premiums for people on Medicaid expansion. Earlier this month, leaders with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services'told lawmakers'they…...
Big Beautiful Bill Act to decrease income tax revenue for Montana
9+ mon, 2+ week ago (467+ words) (Daily Montanan) The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have an arguably big impact on the state of Montana " a decrease of an estimated $114. 2 million in revenue based on income tax changes alone, according to the Legislative Fiscal Division....
Republican tax bill could slash billions for Oregon Health Plan
10+ mon, 3+ week ago (1053+ words) (Oregon Capital Chronicle) A Republican tax'bill'passed in the U. S. House and headed for a vote in the Senate would slash billions in federal Medicaid funding across the country " leaving an outsized mark on states like Oregon that offer health care policies…...