Good news -- Montana legislators have finally broken the blockade of Medicaid expansion and will soon send legislation to the governor's desk.
Hard-line conservatives made multiple attempts to amend or kill the bill when it hit the Republican-controlled House floor Thursday, but a coalition of 13 Republicans and all 41 Democrats agreed to end debate swiftly and vote. The bill picked up two more Republican supporters in the House than it had on Wednesday.
The bill previously passed the state Senate with seven Republican votes. It faces one more vote Friday, but opponents now appear outnumbered. Gov. Steve Bullock is expected to sign it.
Once the governor signs the bill into law, Montana will become the 29th state to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. The only remaining obstacle will be approval by the Department of Health and Human Services, but if conservative states like Arkansas can gain approval for their heavily amended programs, Montana should be able to.