Republican lawmakers have released a proposal that would give health insurance to some of the low-income Montanans who would be eligible for coverage under Medicaid expansion.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports that the new proposal would cover only the disabled, parents whose income falls below the poverty line and some military veterans.
State Sen. Fred Thomas (R- Stevensville), who helped draft the plan, says free government health insurance shouldn't go to able-bodied adults without children.
About 70,000 low-income people in the state would be covered under Medicaid expansion, which Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has been pushing for since last session.
Bullock says the GOP plan would accept some federal money but leave "tens of thousands" of Montanans uncovered.
The Republican proposal is not yet attached to any bills to be introduced during the 2015 legislative session, which begins Monday.
