Montana officials may get state out of Medicaid

HELENA — Montana Republicans running the Legislature are analyzing the federal health care law and may consider getting out of Medicaid altogether as one of the options.

Sen. Dave Lewis chairs the Senate Finance Committee and is among those that want to cut state spending by more than $300 million. The Helena Republican says bucking mandates under the federal health care law will be a big part of the conversation.

Lewis says it is probably not politically feasible to get out of Medicaid this legislative session. But he says it should be studied as a possibility for down the road.

Medicaid largely serves low income families, disabled people and provides nursing home coverage for the elderly.

Experts told lawmakers Monday that the federal health care law impacts many areas of state government.

HELENA — Montana Republicans running the Legislature are analyzing the federal health care law and may consider getting out of Medicaid altogether as one of the options.

Sen. Dave Lewis chairs the Senate Finance Committee and is among those that want to cut state spending by more than $300 million. The Helena Republican says bucking mandates under the federal health care law will be a big part of the conversation.

Lewis says it is probably not politically feasible to get out of Medicaid this legislative session. But he says it should be studied as a possibility for down the road.

Medicaid largely serves low income families, disabled people and provides nursing home coverage for the elderly.

Experts told lawmakers Monday that the federal health care law impacts many areas of state government.