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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward in Montana

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015   

HELENA, Mont. – Starting today, tens of thousands of low-income Montanans will qualify for subsidized health coverage on the federal health insurance marketplace.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have approved Montana's Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) plan, which uses money from the Affordable Care Act to expand Medicaid to cover residents with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or almost $33,000 a year for a family of three.

Heather O'Loughlin, co-director for the Montana Budget and Policy Center, says it's a big win for many of the state's working poor, who until now made too much to qualify for Medicaid.

"We're very excited that CMS has approved Montana's plan," she says. "We think this is going to be hugely important for the people of Montana, particularly the 70,000 Montanans that we estimate will be eligible for affordable healthcare coverage now."

Residents can begin enrolling immediately at the Montana Healthcare Program website at healthcare.mt.gov, but will have to be signed up by Dec. 15 for coverage to start Jan. 1.

The HELP Act passed the legislature in April, but needed federal approval because it allows a private insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, to administer the program.

"This is unique in that Montana is the only state that has passed Medicaid expansion to be implemented through a third party administrator," says O'Loughlin. "Individuals will have access to their network of providers."

The federal government will pick up 100 percent of the cost of the expansion until 2017, and will pay 90 percent after that.


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