Medicaid Expansion Would Benefit Nearly 9,500 Veterans and Their Families

Over forty groups will take to the airwaves next week to highlight the importance of Medicaid expansion to Montana’s veterans. This education effort, targeted in the Billings area, is sponsored by the Partnership for Montana’s Future, a coalition of over forty non-profit and advocacy groups from across the state.

Montana has the opportunity to accept federal dollars to expand the state’s Medicaid program, a move that would provide up to 70,000 Montanans with access to health care services. Included in that number are nearly 9,500 Montana veterans and their families. During the 2013 legislative session, efforts to expand Medicaid received bipartisan support. However, legislation was ultimately blocked by a small group of conservative legislators.

“As a retired Brigadier General and member of the Montana National Guard Association, I understand the sacrifices made by the men and women who proudly wear our nation’s uniform,” said Jim Higgins, veteran and member of the Montana National Guard Association. “Many of them put their lives on the line to protect us. But, not all veterans qualify for VA care. Montana has the highest percentage of uninsured veterans in the nation. It’s inexcusable. We should do better than that, and we can by expanding Medicaid. How much longer will we keep our veterans waiting for the health care they need?”

Many Americans assume all veterans receive access to health care through Veterans Affairs (VA), but this is not always the case. Even veterans who qualify for VA health care face challenges getting the care they need due to the limited number of locations where they can get treatment. In Montana, there is just one VA hospital: Fort Harrison Medical Center near Helena. Outpatient clinics have opened where veterans can access some VA health care services in Anaconda, Billings, Bozeman, Cut Bank, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Kalispell, Lewistown, Libby, Miles City, Missoula, and Plentywood.

“Montana’s veterans should not have to worry about how they are going to get to a clinic or how they can pay for treatment,” said Higgins. “These brave men and women should be able to access quality care in their communities. Medicaid expansion would make that a reality for many veterans and their families across the state.”