Ballot measure proposed to expand Medicaid

HELENA (AP) — Advocates are proposing language for a ballot initiative to bring the question of Medicaid expansion straight to the voters.

Backers of the plan have been promising the measure ever since the Legislature earlier this year rejected Medicaid expansion.

The Healthy Montana Initiative organizers gave state election officials proposed language Thursday. They hope to get approval to start collecting signatures by early next year.

Backers expect they will need more than 30,000 signatures to safely qualify for the 2014 ballot.

It would to use federal money available under the nation's health care law to expand Medicaid to those making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

Republican opponents in the Legislature argue expansion would leave the state vulnerable to eventually paying a higher share of the cost.