Responding effectively when someone experiences an overdose, suicide attempt, or another mental health emergency is a longstanding challenge for communities across Montana. In the past, police or EMS were almost always called to respond, and the person would likely be transferred to the local jail, emergency room, or the state hospital. This approach was expensive, … Continued
Liz Davies, LCSW
The Primary Care Collaborative is a newly formed group that is working to build a strong, accessible primary care system for all Montanans. The group’s first focus has been on helping Montana Medicaid redesign how it reimburses primary care doctors for the care they provide. While primary care is the anchor of a strong health … Continued
Aaron Wernham, MD, MS
Montana is preparing to implement new federal work (also called “community engagement”) requirements in July for adults enrolled in Medicaid. Last month, we released an issue brief outlining steps the state can take to minimize coverage loss among people who meet the new requirements or are exempt from them by law. We have been studying … Continued
Aaron Wernham, MD, MS
Editorial by Dr. Aaron Wernham, MTHF CEO Starting this summer, health care will look very different for many Montanans. The federal government passed work requirements for Medicaid. In Arkansas, where work requirements were piloted, thousands of people lost their health care coverage not because they weren’t eligible, but because of paperwork errors, mail sent to … Continued
Montana’s ranchers and farmers are major producers of a wide range of foods, including meat, lentils, grains, and vegetables. Even so, in many communities, particularly in rural Montana, there are opportunities to improve access to affordable, healthful, locally produced foods. Over the past several years, we have invested more in building local food systems as … Continued
Kelsey Gummer, MHA
Aaron Wernham, MD, MS
We launched the School-Based Health Initiative in 2020 with the dual aim of improving access to care for students and, by doing so, helping students stay in school and learn. The initiative supports partnerships between schools and health care providers to create school-based health care services in schools that need them most. As of 2025, … Continued
Melinda Buchheit, MS
New analyses find Montana’s current Medicaid program supports rural health providers, allows for state budget savings, and is a critical source of health coverage for Montanans across the state. Bozeman, Mont. – The Montana Healthcare Foundation released three new reports analyzing Montana Medicaid. The reports found that the HELP Act – or “Medicaid expansion” – … Continued
Melinda Buchheit, MS
Annual report on Montana Medicaid shows consistent improvement in health coverage, access to services, health outcomes, and reduction in costs for enrollees New data finds state general fund spending on Medicaid has remained stable since before Montana expanded Medicaid. Bozeman, Mont. (April 30, 2024) – The Montana Healthcare Foundation released its fourth annual report on … Continued
Melinda Buchheit, MS
Primary Care: The Foundation of Montana’s Behavioral Health System Bozeman, Mont. (February 13, 2024) – Today, the Montana Healthcare Foundation released a new issue brief that analyzes the role of primary care providers in addressing Montana’s behavioral health needs. As Montana seeks to build a better behavioral health system, the findings in this report underscore … Continued