Workers in state-run medical facilities will soon get a raise. This comes as the state struggles to hire permanent medical workers, but state health officials have a plan to recruit and retain more staff.
The state is projected to spend nearly $55 million this year on contract staffing. Almost all of that spending stems from the Montana State Hospital.
The state will give nurses, psychiatric technicians, direct support staff and other positions a $7,500 one-time bonus. The state is offering the same bonus to new staff who stay on the job for a year.
Staff will also receive raises ranging from $1.75 to $4 an hour, depending on the position.
But not everyone thinks it’s the right move.
David Carlson with Disability Rights Montana (DRM) said that money could be better invested elsewhere.
“Invest that same amount of money in providing good community-based services with around the clock support. In a community-based setting, it will be cheaper, more effective and gets people out of a place the feds have said is too dangerous for them to be a part of,” Carlson said.
The state hospital lost federal funding in 2022 due to patient deaths and injuries. DRM has the right to inspect the state hospital. Carlson said the conditions that led to those incidents remain.
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There is more turnover among Montana State Hospital leadership. This comes as the state prepares to apply for federal recertification. The state’s psychiatric hospital for adults has gone through a handful of leaders since it lost federal certification in 2022 due to patient deaths. -
Nearly two years after losing federal certification, the state’s adult psychiatric hospital in Warm Springs is facing leadership shakeups and turnover of medical providers and key staff.
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State health officials said they will pay community providers to do court-ordered mental health evaluations. Scam artists are trying to trick Montanans out of their money or sensitive personal information. -
State Health Department Director Charlie Brereton said his office plans to apply for recertification of the state hospital with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by the end of the year.
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The state has announced its first plans for spending a $300 million pool of money created to boost Montana's ailing mental health and disability care systems. -
Families of former Montana State Hospital patients are suing the state. They say the state failed to prevent neglect, injuries and other issues at the psychiatric facility.
