06/19/2025
We could use your help! We can override the veto of HB 585 if everyone contacts their legislators!
ACTION NEEDED: Help Establish Fair Access to Therapy in Montana
House Bill 585 was recently vetoed. It wasn’t about expanding Medicaid—it was a practical, data-driven solution to fix outdated reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.
Here are the voting results for HB 585 during the most recent legislative session:
HB 585: Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Adjustment for Rehab Providers
✅ Passed the House 82–15
✅ Passed the Senate 34–14
❌ Vetoed by Governor Gianforte
Right now, clinics across Montana are losing money every time they treat a Medicaid patient. On average:
• Physical Therapy: –$44/hour
• Occupational Therapy: –$51/hour
• Speech Therapy: –$68/hour
Nearly half of Montana’s therapists work in small businesses like ours. HB 585 would have brought Medicaid reimbursement in line with standards already used across Montana, based on 90% of the physician rate—a level that’s fair, familiar, and already part of state policy for other mid-level providers.
Without this fix, access to therapy—especially in rural communities—is disappearing.
However, we have a chance to override the Governor's veto. Montana Senators and House of Representative members will be receiving mail in ballots this week to vote once again on HB 585. They supported the bill once before, and we're asking for their support again. With a 70% "yes" vote, this bill will be signed into law.
We’re asking you to speak up. Please contact your state senator and representative and ask them to override the veto of HB 585. Find them here:
https://www.legmt.gov/districts
Let’s ensure that Montanans on Medicaid can receive therapy close to home—and that small businesses can afford to keep providing it.
