Federal Medicaid funding in Montana would decrease by $4.8 billion in the next six years under the American Health Care Act, according to an analysis commissioned by the Montana Healthcare Foundation.
Thirty-eight percent of federal dollars coming into Montana are for Medicaid. If the federal Medicaid funds are significantly reduced, the state may have to cut back funding for other priorities such as education, according to the report.
In addition to the loss of funding, over 70,000 adults in Montana are expected to lose insurance by 2026 under the House-approved AHCA , according to the report.
"These cuts would hurt Montana's most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors and people with disabilities," Foundation CEO Aaron Wernham told the Daily Interlake.