Introduction

We believe healthcare is a human right. No one should be denied access to care because of their income, identity, zip code, or life circumstances, and no one should be forced into financial hardship to receive the care they need. We envision a future where everyone has access to the resources and support necessary to live healthy, meaningful lives.

Our work is grounded in the understanding that health outcomes are shaped by social, economic, and political conditions. Systemic inequities, including poverty, racism, ableism, discrimination, and unequal access to opportunity, create barriers that prevent many people from accessing healthcare and other basic needs programs.

We center the voices and leadership of those most directly impacted by these inequities. By working alongside Medicaid recipients, SNAP participants, and others who are often excluded from policy conversations, we help ensure that decisions affecting their lives are informed by their lived experiences.

As attacks on programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continue to grow, it is more important than ever to defend these vital supports. Access to healthcare and food security are matters of justice, dignity, and human rights. We work to build collective power so communities can advocate for policies that promote equity, opportunity, and well-being for all Montanans.

Dillon Sarb, Senior Organizer for Catalyst Montana, was a featured guest on the Missoula Dems Show. He discussed the looming changes to Medicaid in Montana and more.

Case Denied

Case Denied is a video series that breaks down what is happening to Medicaid and SNAP and what these changes mean for Montana communities.

Recent federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP totaled more than $1 trillion, largely to fund tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations. While these cuts may seem distant, their impacts are felt locally through increased bureaucracy, administrative hurdles, and barriers to accessing benefits.

These barriers disproportionately impact people who already face systemic inequities, including low-income families, rural communities, people with disabilities, older adults, Indigenous people, and communities of color. Through Case Denied, we explain these policy changes in clear, accessible terms while highlighting the human stories behind the headlines and the broader systems that shape access to healthcare and nutrition.

A core part of our work is uplifting the stories and experiences of people from low-income and historically marginalized communities. We believe those closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions, and that meaningful policy change happens when directly impacted people have a seat at the table.

We support community members in sharing their experiences through testimony at the Legislature, interim committees, public meetings, and advocacy opportunities. By creating pathways for people to tell their own stories, we challenge harmful stereotypes, build public understanding, and help decision-makers see the real-world consequences of policy choices.

In 2025, we created a Medicaid Expansion Storybook that was distributed to lawmakers ahead of the vote to reauthorize Medicaid Expansion. The publication featured seven stories from Montanans across the state who shared how Medicaid Expansion improved their health, financial stability, and quality of life.

The Legislature ultimately reauthorized Medicaid Expansion in record time. While many factors contributed to that success, the Storybook demonstrated the power of lived experience and collective action. It served as a reminder that when directly impacted people come together to share their stories and advocate for change, they can influence policy, advance equity, and create a more just Montana for everyone.

For a more accessible view of the book click HERE or view in the blog.