Jan 10, 2021
Economic Effects of Medicaid Expansion in Montana
Two previous reports document that Medicaid expansion increases Montanans’ economic opportunities, supporting thousands of jobs and millions in income with minimal cost to the state.1 This report updates these prior reports using two additional years of information and reaches the same conclusion. Medicaid expansion increases health insurance coverage and health care access, improving individuals’ health and households’ financial health while creating thousands of jobs and millions in income for Montanans throughout the economy. Medicaid expansion also reduces state spending and boosts state revenues. Combined, these savings and revenues likely more than offset the “sticker price” of expansion (10 percent of costs). As such, Medicaid expansion generates health, well-being, and economic opportunity for Montanans at minimal (or no) cost to the state budget.