Jason Small and John ESP
There is no doubt that almost every family in Montana struggles in some way with mental health, diabetes, postpartum health care, and more. The 2023 Congress will make unprecedented investments in all three of these her areas, positively impacting families in every corner of the state.
Not only did we both vote yes on all these reforms, but one of us (Senator Jason Small) sponsored the diabetes bill. Another (Senator John Esp) chaired the Senate’s influential Finance and Bills Committee and, as a Senate proponent of the bill, led other bills through the Senate. Here’s an overview of what these new laws will do:
Sen. Small’s Senate Bill 340 is a simple but innovative policy for Montanas who need insulin and have private health insurance. The bill would cap Montanas’ out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month. From now on, if you have health insurance or get health insurance from your employer and need insulin, you only have to pay up to $35 for 30 days of insulin, regardless of amount or content. increase. Type of insulin prescribed. This is life-changing, and for some people, health insurance coverage can be life-saving.
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House Bill 872, sponsored by Flathead Republican Rep. Bob Keenan, is a cross-generational investment in mental health care. Over the next few years, this bill would spend his $300 million of Montana’s budget surplus on reforming and renovating the state’s behavioral health system. The funds will be used to invest in stabilizing and improving mental health services statewide. HB 872 is the largest investment in behavioral health in Montana’s history.
House Bill 2, proposed by Republican Conrad Rep. Lou Jones, is the state’s main budget proposal for the next two years. The state legislature has allocated $6.2 million in state and federal funding to HB 2 to significantly expand postnatal care for mothers participating in the state’s Medicaid program. This additional funding will extend postnatal health coverage for more than 1,000 mothers from just 60 days to a full 12 months. This pro-family policy demonstrates the Montana Republican commitment to mothers and their children who do not have employer health insurance and cannot afford their own private health insurance.
Regardless of whether a Montana family lives on the west or east side of the state, on an Indian reservation, in a large city, or on rural land miles from their nearest neighbors. , all battling diabetes, mental health, or transportation. Pregnancy-related health care at some point. All these difficulties will become easier and more affordable for families to deal with as new policies passed by Parliament in 2023 take effect.
Republican Senator Jason Small, from Busby, is a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and sponsors SB 340. Republican Senator John Esp, from Big Timber, chairs the Senate Finance and Bills Committee.
