Health care

The Montana State Hospital lost its federal certification in 2022 due to patient deaths. That decertification means the state can’t bill Medicaid or Medicare for patient services – a funding loss that has cost the state millions of dollars. State health officials plan to apply for federal recertification next year.

The state health department plans to request federal approval to enact both Medicaid work requirements and co-payments for doctor visits in September. The department opened a 60-day public comment period.

People on Medicare or Medicaid struggle to access mental and behavioral health services. That’s according to a new federal report.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the Big Beautiful Bill by July. The mega-bill aims to fund Trump’s tax cuts and other policies largely by cutting health care.

Montana has received federal approval to provide Medicaid-funded housing services to assist those with behavioral health needs find housing.

The number of measles cases in Montana continues to rise. Twenty people have contracted the virus since April. Most cases have come from out-of-state travel, but measles may now be spreading in Gallatin County.

Montana families with transgender children are quickly losing access to care. A Missoula hospital Wednesday announced it would stop offering gender-affirming care to minors. It is the latest hospital system to stop offering that service.

A new full-service cancer center opened in Lewistown this month. The nearly 17,000 square foot facility will offer radiation, chemo and other oncology services. It’s the only facility like it within 100 miles.

The number of measles cases in Montana has grown to 17, and two people have been hospitalized. Most people who’ve contracted the virus have been unvaccinated. But, at least one fully vaccinated individual did get sick.

Missoula's St. Patrick Hospital announced Tuesday it’s closing its birthing center, leaving the city and surrounding communities with fewer options to get maternal care.