RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - President Obama is offering praise to fellow Democrat Steve Bullock, governor of Montana for the state's decision to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Montana is the 30th state to do so. Montana officials say the move will provide coverage to 70,000 poor and low-income Montana residents.

President Obama's press secretaty issued the following statement on the expansion:

-------------

"Today, 70,000 Montanans who otherwise would go without health insurance can rest easier knowing they will have access to quality, affordable health care. Montana becomes the 30th state, along with the District of Columbia, to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which helps ease the burden of uncompensated costs currently shouldered by hospitals and businesses throughout the state. Today, Montana has chosen to put people over politics, and we hope that the remaining states will join Montana and the other 29 states that have designed programs to meet the needs of their residents who need health care."