30 March 2019 — 1605 mdt

Here’s how our blessings in the MT House
voted on expanded Medicaid, HB-658

The bill passed its third reading 61–37. Twenty Republicans and 41 Democrats voted Aye. One Democrat was excused. Thirty-seven Republicans voted Nay. Rep. Rodney Garcia (R-Billings, HD-52) voted Aye after voting Nay on the second reading.

On the second reading, the bill passed 61–38 on the strength of all 42 Democratic and 19 Republican votes.

Ten amendments were offered by opponents of the bill. All failed. Only two received Democratic votes. Rep. Rae Peppers (Lame Deer, HD-42) voted for Rep. John Fuller’s (R-Kalispell, HD-8) amendment to limit Medicaid to honorably discharged veterans. Rep. Gordon Pierson (Deer Lodge, HD-78) and Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy (Crow Agency, HD-42) voted for an amendment concerning the state fund.

Thirteen Republicans voted for HB-658 on both the second and third readings, and against all amendments. These legislators comprise what Rep. Ed Buttrey calls the “solutions caucus.” This is the tail that wags the Democratic dogs.

Thirty-two Republicans voted against HB-658 on both readings and for all of the amendments. These representatives comprise the MT House’s libertarian tea party caucus that’s implacably opposed to We the People solutions to healthcare.