healthcare

A new bill looks to change how legal marijuana is sold in Montana

Leaders in Montana, whose population is nearly half rural, credit Medicaid expansion as the reason their hospitals have largely avoided the financial crisis depicted by the report despite escalating costs, workforce shortages, and growing administrative burden.

Monica Lindeen writes, "I urge our Montana Congressional Delegation to pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. This bill has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans and to improve our nation's health."

Wastewater samples collected in areas of Missoula have detected a rising level of COVID-19 in the population, health officials said Wednesday.

One freshman member of the Missoula City Council voted against paying the city's bills this week while criticizing what he believes is a lack of transparency in the budgeting process.

While the mayor's request for an emergency levy to fund the operation of a second homeless shelter for the remainder of the year remains on the table, members of the Missoula City Council on Wednesday directed city staff to present a menu of other options and provide regular updates on the progress.

The proclamation of an emergency over homelessness and shelter may allow the city to adopt two mills to help fund what some see as a solution, but it will be up to the City Council to levy the tax, the city attorney said Monday night.

Two transgender Montana teenagers and their families, along with two medical providers of gender-affirming care in the state, are challenging Montana’s newly signed law that bans the treatments for minors and opens practitioners up to professional punishment and lawsuits.

The recently ended legislative session was marked by Medicaid reimbursement hikes, abortion restrictions, anti-LGBTQ+ statutes, behavioral health spending, and workforce and insurance measures.

The bill would create a special state fund devoted to supporting behavioral health services, including community-based facilities and providers that serve people with developmental disabilities or behavioral health issues.

Montana State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing called KGVO News this week to remind readers and listeners that the ‘No Surprises Act’ goes into effect on January 1.

Within the next week both Missoula hospitals will receive the initial doses of the new Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine, which will initially be given to front-line healthcare providers along with residents and staff of local nursing homes and long-term care facilities.