Auditor Rosendale Asking for Override on Veto

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — State Auditor Matt Rosendale is asking Montana legislators to override Gov. Steve Bullock’s veto of a bill on prescription drug costs.

The bill would have required rebates offered by drug manufacturers be used by insurers to reduce premiums for policies sold through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Rosendale’s office estimated about 70,000 residents would have saved up to $8 million the first year. Bullock wrote in his veto letter the bill instead would have increased administrative costs and resulted in higher drug costs.

The Great Falls Tribune reports ballots were sent to lawmakers last week and are due at the Secretary of State’s office by June 14.

Two-thirds of the House and Senate must vote to override the veto for the effort to be successful. The measure passed both chambers by votes above that threshold.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com