WHEREAS, Big Sky EDA’s mission is to sustain and grow our region’s vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life, by providing leadership and resources for business creation, expansion, retention, new business recruitment and community development; and WHEREAS, creating and sustaining a healthy workforce is key to addressing our state’s
workforce shortage, by ensuring that the working-age adults in our state remain able to work; and
WHEREAS, Montana is a small business state, and expanded Medicaid has provided small business employees access to affordable healthcare coverage for nearly 10 years;
WHEREAS, Medicaid expansion, established in Montana in 2015 by the Help Act (SB405), has improved health outcomes, increased the financial health of our residents, and created a healthier workforce; and
WHEREAS, as of March 2024 in Yellowstone County, 12,211 adults ages 19-64 are enrolled in Medicaid Expansion, which is approximately 7.15% of the population of the county; and
WHEREAS, from May 2023 to May 2024 in Yellowstone County, expanded Medicaid supported preventative health care services for 10,072 people in Yellowstone County; mental health services for 6,916 people in Yellowstone County; and substance use disorder treatment for 1,531 people in Yellowstone County; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid Expansion has significantly stimulated Montana’s economy according to the Montana Healthcare Foundation and ABMJ Consulting which reported that Medicaid expansion has created and sustained over 7,500 new jobs, generated an estimated $475 million in new personal income, and fueled $775 million in additional economic activity to Montana’s economy in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the same study by ABMJ Consulting reported that in Yellowstone County, Medicaid expansion has helped create and sustain an estimated 1,583 jobs, generated approximately $113.6 million in personal labor income, and produced $262.5 million in additional local economic activity; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid provides healthcare coverage for more than 30% of workers in housekeeping, child care, and food service industries and coverage for more than 20% of personal care attendants, servers, cashiers, retail sales associates and laborers; and
WHEREAS, Montana invests $900,000 in state funds which is matched by Medicaid expansion dollars, thus creating a $6 million stable funding source for graduate medical education (GME) which is critical to ensuring the next generation of healthcare providers for Montanans; an
WHEREAS, employers benefit from Montana Medicaid by having healthier employees through the cost avoidance of not paying for private health insurance and by avoiding tax penalties; and
WHEREAS, increased access to reliable healthcare is a cornerstone of a viable workforce;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Directors of the Big SKY EDA endorses the HELP Act and supports repealing the sunset of the Act and further recognizes our local businesses and the citizens of Yellowstone County have a compelling interest in ensuring access to health care for a healthier workforce and reduced healthcare costs borne by our local businesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Big SKY EDA strongly requests our legislative delegation and the Montana Legislature protect health care coverage for the 7.15% of Yellowstone County residents by removing the sunset on expanded Medicaid.