Gianforte Administration Slammed After Tens of Thousands of Children Booted Off Health Care Coverage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org
New data shows the burden of Gianforte and the DPHHS's administrative failures is falling hardest on children, Native Americans, and seniors
Helena, MT – The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) released new information this week reporting a staggering 35,797 children had their healthcare coverage terminated in the last year.
This follows persistent demands from Democratic lawmakers to the DPHHS to release more details on the 127,214 Montanans who have lost their health insurance under Montana Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids (HMK). 70 percent of the Montanans who had their coverage terminated under Montana Medicaid and HMK were kicked off for administrative reasons, not because they were deemed ineligible.
The new data also shows Native Americans and seniors also bore the burden of Gianforte’s red-tape nightmare in redetermining Medicaid eligibility. 12,781 Native Americans and 7,606 seniors lost their health insurance in the last year.
“The numbers are in and they are absolutely devastating,” said Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party Sheila Hogan. “Gianforte and his administration are responsible for stripping away the coverage of our most vulnerable including our children, grandparents, family, and friends. Gianforte’s mass disenrollment debacle is hurting Montanans’ health and finances and we deserve better.”
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