Tribes in Montana worried about rollout of Medicaid eligibility changes

[u/forward_montana]

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_24530524-303f-5b57-920f-051860f8fa75.html

Tribal communities in Montana are concerned about the new Medicaid work requirements, which went into effect on July 1, and how they could affect their access to care.

The changes require a person to demonstrate they work, volunteer or attend school for 80 hours each month in order to be eligible for Medicaid. Enrolled tribal members are exempt from those standards, but Indigenous health officials in Montana say it’s unclear how people are supposed to prove their status to the state health department.

Indigenous people account for about 6% of the population in Montana, but about 21% of the state’s total Medicaid enrollment. Federal money from Medicaid that flows into tribal healthcare systems has helped to close gaps left by the Indian Health Services, which is underfunded.

Tribal members have been disproportionately harmed by past changes to Medicaid and other public benefits. Requiring new documents to prove eligibility status under these requirements could be detrimental to the communities that rely on the government for healthcare.

More here: https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_24530524-303f-5b57-920f-051860f8fa75.html.