Montana Health Coalition
As the agency that administers Medicaid in Montana, the Department of Public Health and Human Services is required by federal regulation to have a council to advise the department director, deputy director (who is the state Medicaid director), and Medicaid administrators about health and medical care services.
This council, called the Montana Health Coalition, is required by state law to review the "State Health Care Facilities Plan" prepared by the department to project the need for health-care facilities in Montana.
The coalition also:
- Provides information from both providers and consumers to promote short- and long-range planning to meet the health needs of Montana's population with special emphasis on the low-income population.
- Reviews and provides expert and consumer advice on policy decisions that are indicated as a result of changes in federal statutes, federal requirements and regulations, state plan amendments, administrative rules, and state legislative actions.
- Acts as a forum upon the request of the department director when two or more agencies, policies, programs, provider groups, or recipient groups have conflicting requirements, service and/or other problems that require an interagency or group solution.
- Reviews and approves components of the State Health Care Facilities Plan.
- Monitors, reviews, and evaluates the allocation and adequacy of health services.
- Identifies service gaps and unmet needs.
- Serves as an advocate for health-care consumers and providers.
- Reviews and provides input on health-care initiatives and proposals dealing with state health issues and services.
The coalition is made up of no more than 20 members appointed by the department director (or a designee). Members serve two-year terms and are selected to represent health professionals (including at least one physician) and Medicaid consumers (including at least one representative of the CHIP constituency).
Department representatives on the coalition include the deputy director/state Medicaid director, the state medical officer, the CHIP bureau chief, and administrators from the following divisions: Addictive and Mental Disorders; Health Resources; Child and Family Services; Disability Services; Human and Community Services; Quality Assurance; and Senior and Long Term Care. These individuals are in addition to the 20 appointed members.
The coalition meets at least four times a year and is chaired by the state Medicaid director or a designee. It has two formal subcommittees. One addresses Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP); the other addresses state health facility coordination.
For more information about the coalition, contact Jo Thompson, Office of Planning, Coordination, and Analysis, 406-444-2584 or jothompson@mt.gov.
Page last updated: 07/16/2007
