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title: WHAT DOES MONTANA KNOW ABOUT EXPANDING MEDICAID? - Wyoming Liberty Group - Wyoming Liberty Group
description: WyLib argues Wyoming should reject Medicaid expansion citing Montana data where budget share rose from 17 to 26 percent and hospital profit margins fell.
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\[!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-lg-trees.png)!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-sm-trees.png)\](https://wyliberty.org/) \[\](#)- \[Home\](https://wyliberty.org/) - \[About\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Who We Are\](https://wyliberty.org/about/who-we-are) - \[Core Principles\](https://wyliberty.org/about/core-principles) - \[Staff &amp; Board\](https://wyliberty.org/about/staff) - \[Current Posts\](https://wyliberty.org/current-posts) - \[Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Wyliberty Policy Compass\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass) - \[Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) - \[Education\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education) - \[Election Security Standards\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/election-security-standards) - \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) - \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) - \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) - \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) - \[Keep Wyoming Strong\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/keep-wyoming-strong) - \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) - \[Limited Government\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/limited-government) - \[Marijuana/THC\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/marijuana-thc) - \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) - \[Property Rights\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/property-rights) - \[Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) - \[Spotlight on WyLiberty\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/spotlight-on-wyliberty) - \[Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) - \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) - \[Get Involved\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Donation/Membership\](https://wyliberty.org/get-involved/donate) - \[Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[Contact \](https://wyliberty.org/contact) - \[Search\](https://wyliberty.org/search) ## Learn More ### Health Care <a></a> Font size: \[ &amp;plus; \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ – \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ Print \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs/what-does-montana-know-about-expanding-medicaid?tmpl=component&amp;print=1&amp;format=print "Print") # WHAT DOES MONTANA KNOW ABOUT EXPANDING MEDICAID? \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) Monday, 29 March 2021 \*\*GO BROKE AND DIE WAITING IN LINE\*\* In Montana, Medicaid spending grew from 17% to 26% of the overall budget (2015 to 2018, after expansion). These cost increases are consistent in every expansion state with available data, along with dramatically higher enrollment and cost than initial projections. Perhaps the former Montana speaker doesn't see that as a problem when he spoke with our Representative Harshman, but less money for education, infrastructure, and safety does not seem like a great idea. \*\*\*During the first full year of expansion, Montana's hospitals saw a collective 40 percent decline in their profit margin.\*\*\* The head of the Montana Hospital Association directly attributed this to "cost shifting" as more Medicaid reimbursements fell below the cost to provide care. The Montana Hospital Association's own data confirms these plummeting profits were due to a massive shift in the payer mix from private insurance to Medicaid. Bottom line: The effect of Medicaid expansion on hospitals is one of lower profit margin and lower quality care access. When able-bodied adults crowd the Medicaid platform, the truly needy get pushed to the back of the waiting line. \*\*MEDICAID FRAUD IS A REAL PROBLEM\*\* Another aspect of Medicaid expansion is fraud. Unfortunately, fraud was rampant in Medicaid during 2020, with \[improper spending accounting for one out of every five dollars spent on Medicaid.\](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2020-estimated-improper-payment-rates-centers-medicare-medicaid-services-cms-programs) Opening the door to expansion opens the door to waste, fraud, and abuse. Scarce dollars need to go to the truly needy, not to fraudsters. The Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) bump is temporary. Expansion is permanent. Costs may be covered by "free money" for two years, but in year three, FMAP goes back to the current rate in Wyoming, which is 50-50. Additionally, since states that already expanded do not qualify for the five percent FMAP boost, a renewal of this boost is extremely unlikely. By not expanding, Wyoming can avoid footing the bill and still provide an option for those who need it. Another provision in the federal stimulus bill provides two years of private insurance coverage entirely paid for by the federal government for those between 100% and 138% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Basically, let the federal government provide private coverage (at higher reimbursement rates for providers) to these populations or force them onto Medicaid and make the state pick up part of the tab (at lower reimbursement rates). - This represents more than 1.9 million expansion enrollees - Unlike the FMAP bump, these subsidies will be politically easy to renew in two years - Medicaid expansion would kick these folks off of private insurance, and place them onto Medicaid, taking away this option for Wyoming residents Non-expansion states such as Wyoming made the best choice—avoiding spikes in enrollment and preserving budgets during a strong economy. Take advantage of that wise decision and stay out of the Medicaid expansion trap. Don't give in to liberal talking points about not caring for your neighbor or being on the right side of history. This is common sense and runs counter to everything Wyoming stands for. We always know when logic runs short in these arguments, because the heated emotional appeals begin. Stand your ground. Fight for the future of our state. Please don't bankrupt us to give free health insurance to able-bodied, childless adults under a socialist system that only leads to single-payor health services that remove health "care" from the conversation completely. \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) Tags: \[Medicaid\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/medicaid) \[Medicaid Expansion\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/medicaid-expansion) \[ Medicaid Expansion Has Been a Disaster for Montana \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs/medicaid-expansion-has-been-a-disaster-for-montana) \[ HR1: How to ensure that Fraud is EASY in elections... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency/hr1-how-to-ensure-that-fraud-is-easy-in-elections) #### Related Posts ### \[WY 2026 SF 6 - Eligibility for Medicaid Criteria\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care/wy-2026-sf-6-eligibility-for-medicaid-criteria) \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) ### \[The Illusion of Medicaid Expansion - Wyoming lawmakers consider a new health care advisory\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care/the-illusion-of-medicaid-expansion-wyoming-lawmakers-consider-a-new-health-care-advisory) \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) ### \[Uncovering the Truth About Medicaid Expansion with Dr. John Mansell - Episode 067\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/uncovering-the-truth-about-medicaid-expansion-with-dr-john-mansell-episode-067) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) ### \[Articles of Interest - Medicaid Expansion Won't Stop Rural Hospital Closures\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives/articles-of-interest-medicaid-expansion-won-t-stop-rural-hospital-closures) \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) ### \[MedEx Deja Vu - Eye on the Issues - Episode 002\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives/eye-on-the-issues-episode-002) \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) ### \[Marijuana and MedEx Oh My! - Eye on the Issues - Episode 001\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs/wyliberty-s-eye-on-the-issues-episode-001) \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) !\[logo white 002\](https://wyliberty.org/images/general\_art/logo\_white\_002.png) \*\*Wyoming Liberty Group\*\* P.O. Box 9 • Burns, WY 82053 Phone: (307) 632-7020 ##### Quick Links - \[ Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/legal-center) - \[ News Releases\](https://wyliberty.org/news-releases) - \[ Podcasts\](https://wyliberty.org/podcasts) - \[ Policy\](https://wyliberty.org/policy) - \[ Videos\](https://wyliberty.org/videos) ##### Support - \[ Blog Tags\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags) - \[ Contact Us\](https://white-clair-78.tiiny.site/) - \[ Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[ Privacy Policy\](https://wyliberty.org/privacy-policy) - \[ Login/out\](https://wyliberty.org/login-out) Search Copyright © 2026 Wyoming Liberty Group. \[\](#)- \[ Home\](https://wyliberty.org/) - <a>About</a> - \[ Who We Are\](https://wyliberty.org/about/who-we-are) - \[ Core Principles\](https://wyliberty.org/about/core-principles) - \[ Staff &amp; Board\](https://wyliberty.org/about/staff) - \[ Current Posts\](https://wyliberty.org/current-posts) - <a>Topics</a> - \[ Wyliberty Policy Compass\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass) - \[ Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) - \[ Education\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education) - \[ Election Security Standards\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/election-security-standards) - \[ Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) - \[ Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) - \[ Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) - \[ Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) - \[ Keep Wyoming Strong\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/keep-wyoming-strong) - \[ Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) - \[ Limited Government\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/limited-government) - \[ Marijuana/THC\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/marijuana-thc) - \[ Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) - \[ Property Rights\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/property-rights) - \[ Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) - \[ Spotlight on WyLiberty\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/spotlight-on-wyliberty) - \[ Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) - \[ Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) - <a>Get Involved</a> - \[ Donation/Membership\](https://wyliberty.org/get-involved/donate) - \[ Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[ Contact \](https://wyliberty.org/contact) - \[ Search\](https://wyliberty.org/search) \[\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0))